Wettest July since 1974 soaks region

By Geelong Story Updates
The region enjoyed a very welcome return to heavy rain in July, especially in the first half of the month.
The region’s monthly average of 50mm was doubled, with figures of 96mm at Mt Duneed, 94mm at Belmont, 127mm at Clifton Springs and 154mm at Ocean Grove.
It was Geelong’s wettest July since 1974 when 109mm was recorded. Most models are now predicting aboveaverage La Nina conditions to continue, although a decrease might be likely in the shortterm.
The water catchments are now over 24 per cent full, with West Barwon Reservoir holding almost one third of its capacity.
However, the storage levels are still critical and much more runoff is required in the ensuing months.
Temperatures
Cooler temperatures also defied some of the forecasters in the past month.
July was about half a degree cooler than average, with daily minimums plunging below two degrees – frost level – five times.
The coldest overnight minimum was minus .8C on July 22nd. This was part of a run of three frosty mornings in a row on July 21, 22 and 23.
The coldest day was July 17 when the mercury only reached 9.6C and the warmest day was July 25 at 20.1C.
Other features
There were six days of strong wind in which gusts over 60 km/h were recorded at Mt Duneed.
The strongest gust was 74 km/h from the southsoutheast on July 7.
On July 17 snow blanketed Buninyong and there was one thunder day on the 26th.
July rain: Airey’s Inlet, 102.6mm, average 75.7mm; Apollo Bay, 119.4mm, 116.8mm; Avalon, 90.8mm, 45.2mm; Bannockburn, 77.4mm, 43mm; Barwon Heads, 121.2mm, 59mm; Belmont, 94mm, 47.5mm; Clifton Springs, 127.4mm, 54mm; Corio, 69.7mm, 40mm; Geelong city, 62.8mm, 49.5mm; Hamlyn Heights, 83mm, 47.5mm; Leopold, 126mm, 47.4mm; Meredith, 71mm, 55.4mm; Mt Duneed airport, 96.4mm, 43mm; Ocean Grove, 154.4mm, 59mm; Point Lonsdale, 133.8mm, 56mm; St Leonards, 142.5mm, 55mm; Torquay, 125.5mm, 59mm.
Lindsay Smail operates Geelong Weather Services, www.geelongweatherservices.com, phone 5243 6192.