30/09/2010: Residents of Melbourne have just experienced their coldest September days in 16 years, according to weatherzone.com.au.

The city had an average maximum temperature of 16.6 degrees, about a half a degree below the long-term normal of 17.2. This made it the coldest September in terms of daytime temperatures since 1994. In fact, there was only one day which warmed to 20 degrees, on Sunday the 26th, the fewest 20-degree days in September in 18 years.

The nights were also cold, relative to recent years, averaging a minimum of 9.1 degrees. They were the coldest in seven years, despite being about a degree warmer than the long-term norm. There were only 10 nights that stayed as warm as 10 degrees, the fewest in September in seven years.

When both daytime and overnight temperatures were combined, Melbourne’s average temperature came in at just under 13 degrees. This made it the coldest September in at least seven years, despite being about a half a degree above the the long term norm.

"September was a remarkable month in terms of the lack of warm days across much of southeastern Australia. A high pressure system over the Great Australian Bight acted as a blocking mechanism, keeping noticeably cool southerly winds blowing over South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales," Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutschke said.

"There was only on brief pulse of warm air during the month, which arrived on AFL Grand Final weekend. Grand Final day was the warmest footy day in Melbourne since round seven, which probably helped St Kilda towards the end of the game. Collingwood played fewer games interstate, outside the Melbourne cold."

The cold was a feature across western, central and northern Victoria with many centres having their coldest September in at least 15 years in terms of daytime temperatures. Some of these were Frankston, Coldstream, Port Fairy, Mortlake, Stawell, Horsham, Mildura, Shepparton and Mt Buller.

As far as rainfall goes, Melbourne failed to receive the long-term monthly average of 58mm, despite having 17 rain days, two more than normal. Melbourne only gained 50mm, the lowest for September since 2008. The number of rain days was the highest for September since 1996.

"The bulk of Melbourne’s rainfall for September fell in the first week of the month due to the passage of a couple of strong cold fronts. During this period inland areas had some major flooding, including along the Goulburn and Ovens rivers," Dutschke said.

Some areas ended up with more than double the monthly average with help from a feed of tropical moisture. Some centres broke daily rain records with 50 to 100mm. St Arnauds in the state's west gained 93mm, a September record.

"With minimal help from La Nina, we are still expecting near or above average rainfall over the next few months. Daytime temperatures should also remain near or above average, whilst overnight temperatures are likely to stay above normal," Dutschke said.

Media Inquiries:

Brett Dutschke
media@weatherzone.com.au
02 9965 9269

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