30/06/2008: Melbourne has just experienced its warmest June for 51 years, according to weatherzone.com.au.

The city had an average maximum of 16 degrees, above the long-term normal of 14. This made it the warmest June in terms of daytime temperatures since 2005.

However, there was some significant variability in the temperatures. For example, on the 3rd, the city only got to 12 degrees, making it the coldest June day in two years. Then, just eight days later on the 11th, the temperature soared to 19, the warmest June day in three years.

The nights were also warm. Melbourne had an average minimum of 10 degrees, well above the long-term normal of seven. This made it the warmest June in terms of overnight temperatures since records began way back in 1855. In fact, on the morning of the 11th, the temperature did not fall below 14 degrees, the warmest June night in six years.

When both daytime and overnight temperatures were combined, Melbourne’s average temperature came in at 13 degrees, well above the long-term normal of 10. This made it the warmest June since 1957.

"We had a number of warm days throughout the first half of June due to a dominant north-westerly airstream. In addition, the strong winds that were a feature for much of the month kept overnight temperatures up," weatherzone.com.au meteorologist Matt Pearce said.

It was a similarly warm month right across Victoria. For example, Wilsons Promontory had an average minimum of 11 degrees; it’s highest for June in 127 years of records. Kerang had an average maximum of 17 degrees; it’s highest for June in 98 years of records.

It was also a very dry month. Melbourne picked up just 14mm throughout June, well down on the long-term normal of 49mm. This made it the driest June since 2006.

The pattern of well-below-average rainfall was repeated throughout Victoria. For example, Bairnsdale received just 10mm during June, its lowest total in 27 years of records.

"Typically, most of Melbourne’s rainfall comes from cold fronts and northwest cloud bands at this time of year. This June, there were no significant northwest cloud bands and the cold fronts did not start penetrating well northwards until the end of the month," Pearce said.

"We are expecting rainfall to remain slightly below normal over the next few months, but probably not to the same extent as during June. The exception may be the northwest corner of the state, which is likely to remain drier than normal."

Media Inquiries:

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

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