Rainfall - September 2006
Rainfall totals for September were below average to very much below average across most of the State.
Even in the areas having “average” falls (i.e. deciles 4-7), rainfall totals were less than 100% of the mean in all locations except for two small areas in Gippsland where totals were in the 100-125% range.
Melbourne recorded only 36 mm of rain during the month (average 53 mm). Temperatures were above average, with the average maximum temperature being 19.7 °C, the highest on record for any September.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the below average rainfall is typical of conditions across much of Australia and is a consequence of two major features of the global sea surface temperature distribution:
The current sea surface temperature pattern is typical for the development phase of an El Nino event. This means that the Trade Winds are weaker than average, which reduces the amount of moisture being brought towards Australia.
Current sea surface temperatures over Indonesian waters are very low, which prevents the formation of cloud bearing jet streams ahead of cold fronts.
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)