January Second-Driest On Record For Melbourne - Sydney Morning Herald

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Melbourne has just experienced its second driest January on record, commercial meteorological resource Weatherzone reports. 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 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 January 2, 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 January 30, the hottest day of any month in 70 years.

EDIT

http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/water-issues/second-driest-january-on-record-for-melbourne/2009/01/31/1232818803673.html