Freak weather in April

April 2017 delivered two extreme weather events to Geelong.
Both were classed as severe storms and both involved high rainfall, flash flooding, thunder, lightning and strong south-westerly winds.
In fact, the month’s rain total of 151mm resulted in Geelong recording its second highest figure for April.
Weather enthusiasts would have to go all the way back to 1871 to find a wetter April in Geelong.
The first big event spanned 8 and 9 April when almost 60mm fell across Geelong. Some localities received much more, including 107mm at Ocean Grove and 106mm at Drysdale.
The second event was on the evening of 24 April when over 50mm fell in a violent storm across the urban area.
The whole region recorded well-above monthly average rain totals. Urban Geelong was 380 per cent above the April average of 39.8mm.
Despite the downpours, April 2017 was also warmer than average.
Temperatures averaged 20.5C for maximums and 11C for minimums, giving April a mean of 15.8C. The result was .7C above the monthly mean of 15.1C.
The month’s top temperature was 29.9 C on 8 April, with the lowest overnight falling to 6.5C 10 days later.
Along with the two severe storms and damaging flash flooding, the month also delivered hail days on 24 and 26 April. Three thunder and lightning days were recorded on 8, 9 and 24 April.
The month had three strong wind days, with the strongest gust hitting 83km/h on 9 April.