“Good moderate” rain was recorded across most of Victoria as a result of storm and general rainfall activity.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology’s duty forecaster Richard Carlyon most districts recorded moderate rainfall totals, expect for East Gippsland that had lighter falls of mostly 5 to 10 millimetres.
He said from 9am Friday to 9am today (Monday) the Mallee had 5-20mm of rain and elsewhere in the state 10-30mm from fronts that passed through the state on Friday and Saturday night into Sunday.
The highest falls were in the Alpine areas, with Mount Buffalo and Mount Hotham both recording 103mm in that period. Other high totals included 82mm at Mount Sabine in the Otways and 89mm at Strathbogie.
Jim Renkin farms with his family at Lindsay Park, Lima. Despite being only about 20 kilometres north-east of Strathbogie, the rainfall recorded on Friday and Saturday was 45mm.
“It was extremely helpful – it’s just the break you needed,” Mr Renkin said.
He said the total was the result of steady falls and that it was widespread – with 40mm pretty common in the region south of Benalla.
He said it was the third potential autumn break, having had two false starts.
“They’re forecasting good rain on Sunday and if that occurs, it’ll be just what we need because it’s been extremely dry here, even though it tends to be a relatively high and reliable rainfall.”
It had been “extremely dry” to this point of the year, so the Renkins have had to feed out their sheep and cattle more than they would normally. Most of it has been home grown feed, although he bought a load of oaten hay to feedlot lambs.
“We took a risk and dry sowed a week ago and it’s putting its head up this morning,” Mr Renkin said.
They sowed 48.5 hectares of annual ryegrass for hay and some permanent pasture.
Meteorologist Mr Carlyon confirmed Victoria was forecast to receive little rain until Sunday, when most districts were expected to receive 5-20mm. Although, in the intervening days, there is a
He said the climate outlook for May to July had northern Victoria having a higher chance of average or above average rainfall, compared to the chance of below average. He said the indications were not as decisive in the state’s south.
“The El Nino is breaking down; we’re in the last throws of it, and we expect rainfall to be average or above average,” Mr Carlyon said.
He said in this three-month period, temperatures were more likely to be above average across the state than below it.
Agriculture Victoria seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey said much of the state’s east got good rain but it was patchy in the west.
“Some crops on the lighter, sandy soils will come up but they’ll need follow up rains quickly,” Mr Grey said.
He said if the rains forecast for this coming Sunday eventuated, then it could be a well timed start to the growing season.
“The west of the state needs a lot more rain so the dry sown crops establish well and for people to finish off their sowing programs.”
He said in the east, the 25-30mm would have germinated pasture and it would be unusual to not get something in the next month to keep it alive.
“Anything like average for May would be fantastic,” Mr Grey said.
“Dry sown canola in the north east will be getting off to a great start.”
