Climate & Environment
Victoria Experiences Record‑Breaking Spring Rains, but Dry Weather Expected Soon
From Gippsland to the Great Ocean Road, Victoria has been drenched by record‑breaking spring rains. The Mount Cowley weather station, about 10 kilometres west of Lorne, logged the highest rainfall total in the state when 192 millimetres fell over 72 hours to 9 am on Sunday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Cowwarr Weir, just south of the Victorian Alps, received 185 millimetres over three days, while Briagolong in Gippsland recorded 182 millimetres – an October record for the town’s highest 72‑hour total. Lakes Entrance, Horsham and Mt Baw Baw all surpassed their highest single‑day October rainfall totals on Saturday.
VicEmergency warned residents that walking or driving through floodwater from the Thompson River at Wandocka in Gippsland was dangerous. The warning remained at watch‑and‑act level because of the potential for major flooding.
After Melbourne recorded its wettest day in two years on Thursday, a modest 11 millimetres fell across the city on Saturday. Bureau meteorologist Urshla Connor said the heavy downpours caused riverbanks to swell and produced widespread local flash flooding and water on roads throughout Victoria. "The heavy rain was driven by a low‑pressure system carrying tropical moisture and then wrapped up in a southerly flow of air, causing a lot of rain to fall across the state on Friday and Saturday," she explained. "There were records broken, it was pretty significant, but we do tend to see decent rainfall events through spring across Victoria so it’s not unprecedented."
Victoria is expected to see relatively dry conditions on Monday, with a forecast high of 19 °C in Melbourne. A cold front will bring isolated showers on Tuesday before temperatures rise again at the end of the week, peaking at 27 °C in the city on Friday. Lorne will reach 24 °C on Friday after a wet and wild weekend.
Frequently asked questions
What was the highest rainfall recorded in Victoria during the spring rains?
Mount Cowley weather station recorded 192 millimetres over 72 hours, the highest in the state.
Which towns set October records for 72‑hour rainfall?
Briagolong recorded 182 millimetres, an October record for the town’s highest 72‑hour total.
What weather is expected for Victoria after the heavy rains?
Relatively dry conditions on Monday with a high of 19 °C in Melbourne, isolated showers on Tuesday, temperatures rising to 27 °C by Friday.