A low pressure trough, coupled with moist tropical air, has delivered welcome rain to Victoria’s north-east and south-west.
Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecaster Michael Efron said Rosewhite, near Myrtleford, recorded 66 millimetres of rain, Strath Creek, near Yea, 63mm, and Warrnambool 57mm.
Bendigo received 25mm, during a thunderstorm, in half an hour.
“In terms of the Mallee, unfortunately, the falls have been really light, generally under five millimetres,” Mr Efron said.
The system was expected to contract to the east of the state, on Wednesday, but there was still the risk of storms across the north-east.
“We have had some quite moist tropical air, moving south across the state, coinciding with a low pressure trough.
“We do tend to get the occasional incursion of tropical air across south-eastern Australia, bringing an autumn break, and it does come after a month of temperatures which have been well above average.”
Tempy cropper Mike Robertson confirmed falls in the area had been “minimal”, but planting was not likely to start, until the beginning of April.
“It’s been the hottest March I can remember, over 30 degrees for the whole month, so it would be nice, if the big break comes,” Mr Robertson said.
Macarthur dairy farmer Craig Dettling said he had received 53mm, mostly in the morning.
The rain would boost pastures and encourage growth of grazing wheat, turnips, forage rape, plantain and ryegrass.
Mr Dettling said hotter weather, earlier this month, had browned off the tops of his pastures, but hadn’t killed them.
“We had about 10mm, ten days ago, that set it up and its still quite nice, warm rain, with no run off – it’s going straight in and being soaked up.
“Comparing it to last year, when we were buying in a lot of feed, we are going to be set up well, for calving.”
Warracknabeal cropper Julia Hauser said the property had received 11mm overnight, but it was too early to start planting.
“We are just getting a few things ready, putting some gypsum out and preparing for cropping.”
She said rain was always welcome – “in a month, it will be good.”