Rainfall - October 2006
Average rainfall across Victoria for October was the lowest on record since 1914. Some locations experienced their lowest October rainfall total on record and all other locations recorded totals that were ‘very much below average’.
Furthermore, Victoria recorded its hottest mean maximum temperatures for October since records began in 1950, and its second lowest mean minimum temperature.
There were quite a few cold frontal passages which moved over Victoria in October. In a typical October, each of these frontal passages might have been expected to drop 10–20 mm of rain. This year, the fronts resulted in 1 mm or less of rain, chiefly in coastal areas. As a result, much of southern Victoria recorded a large number of ‘rain days’, but rainfall totals for the month were ‘very much below average’.
Melbourne recorded only 9 mm of rain during the month (long-term October average 68 mm). Maximum temperatures were above average, with the average maximum temperature being 21.9°C.
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 is associated with weaker than average Trade Winds, 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)