Victor Szwed

Total rainfall for April was a miserly 24.8mm only 39% of the 64.1mm long term average. For the first four months of this year we have had 134.2mm, just two thirds of the 199.3mm average. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts that rainfall is likely to continue to be below average from May to July for much of Australia including Victoria.

Normally we would see a significant increase in rainfall over the coming four months, however conditions do vary from year to year.

Many streams and rivers are dry when they should be starting to flow. Daylesford’s reservoirs are down to 41% of capacity compared to 70% at this time last year. Some regions are stepping up water restrictions due to significant drops in reservoir levels.

Central Highlands Water is apparently aiming to provide information to residents soon. It will be important to complete and commission the pipeline that will connect the Daylesford water supply to the Goldfields Superpipe. The project was to have been completed in late 2024.

Some spectacular sunrises this week with the crisp mornings, if you were up before 7am. (Photo: Victor Szwed)

Rainfall records are available on the Bureau’s web site for Daylesford since 1867 with just a few gaps. 1982 rainfall of only 420.8mm was the lowest recorded compared to the long term mean of 876.9mm. In 1973 the highest rainfall of 1,321.5mm was recorded. Last year we had 648mm, 74% of the average.

For the past 16 months, since the beginning of 2024, we have experienced a rainfall deficit of 294mm. This helps explain why the soils are so dry not just on top but also deeper down. If you are planting trees or shrubs, make sure you provide adequate water below the surface and maintain adequate watering even though we normally assume that in late autumn and into winter, we do not need to water.

Soil moisture levels are below average for many parts of Victoria, particularly in central and western areas. Try digging in your yard and almost certainly you will find the soil very dry. Many gardeners are having to water their vegetable crops which is frustrating at this time of the year. Leaving more of your garden in fallow is probably a good idea.

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Victor Szwed is a Daylesford resident who writes a monthly update on the weather for The Wombat Post.