Wet year falls just short of 1000mm

Warragul recorded another wet year, falling just under the 1000mm mark.

A total of 999.2 was recorded, falling just under the 1036.4mm recorded last year.

This was incredibly close to the 1000mm mark which has been recorded four times in the past 20 years. It also was just under the 115 year annual average of 1005.2mm.

The first five months of the year saw totals well below last year’s heavy falls.

The May rainfall of 67.6mm was well below the average of 93.2mm.

However strong spring rainfall tipped gauges above socalled normal levels.

A total of 387mm was recorded in September, October and November compared to 227.2mm for the same period last year.

It was the highest spring rainfall since 1999 and severely affected production of silage and hay crops. When the sunshine finally arrived, some farmers had to wait weeks to cut grass on the flats.

The wettest month was October with 158mm, well above the average of 104.3mm.

November’s rainfall of 17.7mm was almost double the average.

However, this plummeted in December when just 30mm was recorded well below the average of 78.9, and the lowest December rainfall since December 1982. Rain only fell on eight days.

The wettest day was June 10 when 47.4mm was recorded. It was accompanied by severe storms. Severe flooding and fallen trees blocked many roads and caused significant damage in the north of Baw Baw Shire, particularly Walhalla and Mt Baw Baw.

The Mt Baw Baw Tourist Road was closed for months, only reopening in December.

The June storm was followed by another wild weather event in October. Whilst it did not deliver the heavy rains, strong winds brought down many trees and power was cut for extended periods to many households.

The maximum temperature for the year didn’t go above 36.2 degree Celsius recorded on the last day of the year. The highest January temperature as 36.1 degrees Celsius.

The highest winter temperature was 18.7 degree Celsius, recorded on July 31.

The lowest minimum temperature was -3.5 degrees Celsius recorded just before winter on May 31. The lowest winter minimum was -2.8 degrees Celsius on July 9.

The high rainfall in the latter part of the year has resulted in the introduction of fire restrictions later than normal.

Fire restrictions were imposed for Baw Baw, Bass Coast, South Gippsland, Cardinia and Latrobe last week.

Fire authorities have warned that the dry start to January has resulted in bush and grassland quickly drying out and posing a fire risk.

The annual rainfall chart is printed in today’s Gazette as a liftout for people to keep.