BUREAU EXPECTS GOOD RAINS TO CONTINUE IN SPRING
After two months of good rain, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) modelling predicts that most of Victoria is likely to see average or slightly greater rainfalls over the coming four months from August through November.
According to the BOM, July rainfall for Daylesford was 141.4 mm compared to the long-term average of 102.5mm. We received 110.8mm in June, 5mm above the average. Cumulative rainfall of 395mm for 2025 to the end of July is still well below the long-term average of 495mm. We need average or above average rains over coming months to boost ground moisture and reservoirs.
Daylesford’s water reservoirs have increased to 51% of capacity because of the heavy rains in June and July. Our reservoirs are relatively small so they increase quickly after good rains.
Locally you may have noticed that frogs are more active and noisy, hopefully a positive sign that they anticipate good rains and a positive start to Spring.
Many areas in western and north-central Victoria had been experiencing extremely dry conditions resulting in a “Green drought” for farmers. Crops and pastures which had been sown in anticipation of autumn-winter rains had germinated because of the late rains but had missed the warm autumn temperatures that promote growth. Even though paddocks are green, there is insufficient growth to feed stock.
On our recent travels through these areas and into South Australia saw patchy green areas and brown areas where germination had not taken place. These regions have had some good, but very late, rainfalls which will help. However, with patchy germination and cool weather it will take well into spring to see much growth. Some farmers had not sown pastures or crops because of the drought conditions.
Victor Szwed is a Daylesford resident who contributes a monthly column on the weather for The Wombat Post.
