31/01/2009: Melbourne has just experienced its second driest January on record, according to weatherzone.com.au.

The city picked up just one millimetre throughout the month, a far cry from the long term normal of 48mm. This made it the driest January since 1932 and the second driest January on record.

It was a dry month right across Victoria. For example, Ballarat picked up just one millimetre throughout January, its lowest total for the month in 100 years of records.

"January is not typically one of the wettest months across Victoria. However, in most years, we can expect some rainfall in the form of showers and storms and the odd infeed of tropical moisture. This year, neither system was present and the state barely picked up any rainfall as a result," weatherzone.com.au meteorologist Matt Pearce said.

It was also a warm month. Melbourne had an average maximum of 29 degrees, well above the long term normal of 26. This made it the warmest January in the city since 2001.

However, there was significant variability in the temperatures. For example, on the 2nd, the city shivered its way to a top of just 19 degrees, the coldest January day in nine years. Then, in complete contrast, the heatwave of the last few days saw the mercury hit 45 on the 30th, the hottest day of any month in 70 years.

It was warm throughout the state. For example, Latrobe Valley had an average maximum of 30 degrees, its highest for January in 25 years of records.

The nights were also warm. Melbourne had an average minimum of 16 degrees, above the long term normal of 14. However, there was one cold spell right at the start of the month. On the morning of the 3rd, the city dropped down to nine degrees, making it the coldest January night in 15 years.

In contrast to Melbourne, some other parts of the state, especially the western half, experienced cooler than average nights. For example, Cerberus had an average minimum of 11 degrees, its lowest for January in 14 years of records.

When both daytime and overnight temperatures were combined, Melbourne’s average temperature came in at 22 degrees, above the long term normal of 20.

"The good news is that we are expecting a shift to slightly wetter than average weather through the rest of summer and into autumn. The days are likely to remain slightly warmer than average while night-time temperatures should stick close to normal," Pearce said.

Media Inquiries:

Matt Pearce
media@weatherzone.com.au
02 9965 9236

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