Geelong has completed its third warmest July on record, according to a local weather service.
July 2019 was also drier than average despite the city recording rain on 18 days, Geelong Weather Services (GWS) reported on its website this week.
Temperatures were 1.1C higher than the 30-year average and 13mm drier, GWS said.
Minimums averaged 7.3C, which was 1.5C above average. Maximums were .6C above average at 14.6C
“These figures produce a 1.1 degree above-average anomaly, leading to the above conclusion,” GWS said.
GWS recorded the warmest day as 6 July when temperatures reached 18C, while the coldest was the second last day of the month with a maximum of 11.5C.
“The lowest temperature, of 3.5C on the 28th, was well-above normal July conditions and this accounts for Geelong having the equal third warmest July on record as well as the highest average minimum since records began in 1903,” GWS said.
Urban Geelong averaged “only” 30mm of rain despite July’s 18 wet days.
“The only noticeable local pattern showed lower falls to Geelong’s north and west and higher falls elsewhere,” GWS said.
“Overall, almost the whole region received lower-than-average rainfall, except for places in the Otway Ranges, such as Beech Forest, which recorded 258mm.”
“Extremely windy gusts” were also a feature of the month, GWS said.
“There were five such windy days with gusts exceeding 60km/h, including the 10th, which recorded 76 km/h at Breakwater.
“Surrounding places and suburbs had some higher readings, and on this particular day some roof and tree damage occurred but nothing to warrant a severe storm.”
