It was a much hotter-than-average March in Ballarat, with warm weather and low rainfall tipped to continue into June in what will come as worrying news to farmers.
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After a balmy start the average temperature was 26 degrees for the month, almost four degrees above the maximum average.
March 1 was our hottest day, with the mercury climbing to 32.1 degrees ahead of 15 consecutive days of 25 degrees or more.
The indications from a climate perspective over the April to June period are that we’re likely to see warmer than average temperatures.
- - Senior forecaster Rod Dickson
This trend continued until last Thursday when a cold spell blew in from the Southern Ocean, bringing with it a chilly maximum of only 15.3 degrees.
Despite warmer weather before this change the gauge at Ballarat Airport registered a total of 44.4mm of rain for March, slightly higher than the 42.3mm average. Most of this rain was dumped in two days over March 20 and 21.
Thunderstorms hit before more than 35mm of rain fell, flooding Ballarat’s streets and damaging several buildings. Three SES units were dispatched to assist in the clean up and help remove fallen trees.
As for the rest of autumn, the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting rainfall will likely be below average for Ballarat.
Senior forecaster Rod Dickson said the city could also see a repeat of last year’s warmer-than-average April.
“The indications from a climate perspective over the April to June period are that we’re likely to see warmer than average temperatures. Accompanying that will be lower rainfall levels.”
Predicted nighttime temperatures for April to June suggest a warmer three months for many parts of Australia, including Ballarat.
The BOM said: “Drier than average outlooks are likely a result of forecast higher than normal pressure across western and southern Australia, meaning fewer rain-bearing systems are likely”.
Temperatures well into the 20s are expected throughout this week in Ballarat from Monday. Friday is heading for a top of 26 degrees.
