Under the Weather, by Lindsay Smail
September 2017 in Geelong has finished much wetter but only fractionally warmer than the respective 30-year averages for total rain and daily temperatures.
Most of the region received above to well-above rain, except for some areas in the north and northwest from Lara to Rowsley Fault and partially beyond.
The Otways had some of the highest totals as usual, with the Beech Forest area recording 312.4mm. Geelong’s official weather station measured 68.2mm, up significantly on the 30-year long-term figure of 49.1mm
The welcome rains helped local water storages surge from 68 per cent capacity at the start of the month to 78.8 per cent at the end.
Interestingly, the total for the end of September was almost exactly the same figure recorded in 2016.
As for temperatures, the .05C below-normal result was a consequence of the nights finishing .1C cooler and the days exactly equal to the long-term average.
The month’s minimums averaged 7.1C, while the maximums were 17.1C.
The warmest day for September 2017 in Geelong was the 21st when the mercury reached 23.2C, while seven days of the month exceeded 20C.
September also had one frost day, which was on the first day of the month, along with two days of hail on the fourth and fifth.
Snow fell in the Otways from Lorne to Lavers Hill on 5 September.
The month also had one thunder day, on 15 September, and eight days of high wind gusts over 60km/h. The strongest gust at Breakwater reached 93km/h on 4 September.
* Lindsay Smail operates Geelong Weather Services
