Rainfall - January 2008
January rainfall totals were generally above average in the north of the state and below average in the south. The variation in rainfall distribution was a result of several low pressure troughs which centered over northern Victoria providing rainfall in the north, but not the south.
By the end of January, large regions within Northern Country, Mallee and West Gippsland districts had received more than 150% of the long-term average rainfall for January. Northeast, North Central and Wimmera districts recorded monthly rainfall totals in excess of 100% of the January average, as did large part of Western district. In contrast, much of Central district, East Gippsland, South Gippsland and South West Coast recorded less than 60% of the long-term January average.
The highest monthly total of 169.6 mm was recorded at Mt Buffalo Chalet in upper northeast Victoria. The lowest monthly total was 0.8 mm at Cerberus AWS in southern Central Victoria.
Maximum temperatures in January were between 1 and 3 degrees above average across Victoria, due mostly to several very hot days at the beginning of the month. A record hot spell was recorded in Bendigo, with 17 days in a row between 27 December 2007 and 12 January 2008 recording maximum temperatures greater than or equal to 30°C.
Melbourne received 32.2 mm of rain during the month, which is below the long-term January average of 47.1 mm. The average maximum temperature was 27.9°C. This is 2.0°C higher than the long-term January average.
In this section
Rainfall Graphs
- Western Victoria (Ouyen, Horsham, Hamilton)
- Central Victoria (Echuca, Seymour, Melbourne)
- Eastern Victoria (Wodonga, Orbost)
Rainfall Maps
- Bureau of Meteorology Rainfall Maps (Monthly, Decile, 6 Month Decile)