30/11/2009: Residents of Melbourne have just experienced their hottest November in over 150 years of records, according to weatherzone.com.au.

The city had an average maximum temperature of 27 degrees, a whopping five degrees above the long term normal of 22. This made it the hottest November in terms of daytime temperatures since records began in 1855. In fact, on the 20th, the mercury soared to 38 degrees, the hottest November day in six years.

The nights were also warm. Melbourne had an average minimum of 16 degrees, well in excess of the long term normal of 11. This made it the warmest November in terms of overnight temperatures since records began in 1855. On the morning of the 20th, the temperature only fell to 23 degrees, making it the mildest November night in two years.

When both daytime and overnight temperatures were combined, Melbourne’s average temperature came in at 22 degrees, significantly above the long term normal of 17. This made it the hottest November since records began way back in 1855.

"November was a remarkable month in terms of the persistence and widespread nature of the heat across southern Australia. A high pressure system to the east of Australia acted as a blocking mechanism, while very warm air over central Australia was continually funnelled down by northerly winds," weatherzone.com.au meteorologist Matt Pearce said.

"There was a complete lack of any significant cool changes during the month. Even the coldest days right at the start of the month registered only three or four degrees below average for this time of year."

The record-breaking heat was a feature right across Victoria. Many long-standing records were smashed. Some of the more significant included Kerang (average temperature 24, 100-year record) and Ballarat (average temperature 18, 101-year record).

However, rainfall also came in above average for Melbourne. The city picked up 100mm throughout the month, well above the long term normal of 60mm. This made it the wettest November since 2004.

"The bulk of Melbourne’s rainfall for November fell during the last 10 days of the month due to the passage of a couple of low pressure systems and troughs. Heavy falls on the night of the 21st resulted in flash flooding in some parts of the city," Pearce said.

This trend was repeated in other parts of the state. For example, Warracknabeal, in the Wimmera, received 89mm, its highest total for November in 40 years of records.

"We are expecting daytime temperatures to remain above average over the next couple of months, before a shift back towards average temperatures later in summer. Overnight temperatures are likely to return back towards normal as early as December," Pearce said.

Media Inquiries:

Matt Pearce
media@weatherzone.com.au
02 9965 9236

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