RAINFALL
Well above average falls were experienced across the region in October. Urban Geelong received between 60 and 90 mm, and Anakie had well over 100 mm. The average for October is 50 mm. Most of the rain fell at the start and the end of the month; the middle weeks were comparatively dry. An interesting period occurred between the 29th-30th, when a small “wrap-around” system powered by a low to our east, pushed up rain bands from the south and provided some unexpected heavier falls over 20 mm for Geelong. Weeaproinah and Lavers Hill on the Otway ridge both recorded over 200 mm for the month, and even although the West Barwon Dam was below average, Mt Sabine at the head of the catchment got 150 mm. This has left Geelong’s water supplies at a very healthy 90% of capacity.
Although the Bureau of Meteorology’s 3-monthly outlook is for dry conditions over summer in southwestern Victoria, the developing La Nina suggests otherwise. The Geelong region very often does not perform according to Bureau outlooks.
TEMPERATURES
Temperatures in October were clearly above average. Taking into account the warmer urban site of the Geelong weather station, overall temperatures were above one degree higher than normal. Average daily minimum was 10.0 degrees and maximum 19.7. This gives an October 2011 figure of 14.8 degrees. The long-term average for this area is only 13.1 degrees, but the observed site difference would account for at least 0.6C.
Top temperature was 30.8C on the 19th, and the lowest overnight was 4.1C on the 18th. No records were broken.
OTHER FEATURES
There were two thunder days but no severe storms. On the wettest day (up to 9 am on the 1st) over 20 mm fell and caused some minor street flooding but no noteworthy damage. There was only one strong wind day, with a gust of 63 kph from the west on the 16th.
RAINFALL DATA
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