Note:  *table references are included on the webpage link below
http://www.bom.gov.au/announcements/media_releases/vic/20020930.shtml

Some of the warmest days were also very windy, the combination of dry conditions, wind and warmth raising fire danger across northern Victoria.

Rainfall totals for the month were well below normal in most Districts. The worst affected areas were the Mallee, Central, Upper North and East Gippsland districts, where falls averaged only one-third of the long-term normals. By contrast, rainfall over the Northeast, and also along the West Coast, was close to normal.

The dry September continues a pattern that has been established across Victoria throughout 2002. For the first nine months, most Districts (the exceptions are the Northeast, East Gippsland, and the West Coast) have averaged rainfall totals among the driest 10% on record.

September's warmest days were the 15th and the 24th at most places, but the State's highest temperature for the month of 30.1 deg C was recorded at Mildura on the 2nd. The State's lowest minimum temperature of -7.5 deg C was recorded at Mt Hotham (night of the 9th/10th September) whilst Victoria's lowest temperature for a non-alpine station was -4.4 deg C, recorded at Omeo during the night of the 11th/12th September.

In Melbourne, 40.0 mm of rain fell during the month (normal 53.0 mm) - see *table 2 and *table 3 . September minimum temperatures averaged 9.6 deg C (normal 8.7 deg C). Maximum temperatures averaged 18.9 deg C (normal 17.2 deg C).

Melbourne's maximum temperature of 28.5 deg C on the 15th was the highest such temperature on record, this early in the season.

The Bureau's Seasonal Climate Outlook suggests an enhanced chance of the drier than normal conditions continuing for the next three months, with above average daytime temperatures.

For further information contact:
Climate and Consultancy, tel: (03) 9669 4949 (BH)
Shift Supervisor, tel: (03) 9669 4916 (AH)

http://www.bom.gov.au