Record rain in Bendigo

"Bendigo rainfall record surprises meteorologist

KAREN SWEENEY

08 Dec, 2010 04:00 AM

BENDIGO rainfall records have been broken with storms Monday and showers yesterday bringing totals up to 1024mm for the year.Its been an eventful road to breaking the 1016mm record set in 1973 with parts of the city and surrounding areas flooding multiple times throughout the year.
Bureau of Meteorology climate meteorologist Harvey Stern was surprised by the new record, which comes after more than a decade of drought.
He said the rainfall for the year was double the usual yearly amount and said such falls were unusual following such dry conditions.
A La Nina rainfall event has changed rainfall patterns which could return rainfall to average levels as early as next year.
“We’ve gone into a tropical system,” he said.
“When wind change comes from the north it brings moisture. We have the potential for more rain.”
While returning to average rainfall will benefit the region, Dr Stern said more above average rain would be needed to make up for the long-term rainfall deficiencies as a result of the drought.
“In regard to the drought we monitor the deficiencies. Much of Victoria has lost two years of rain in the last 10 years,” he said."

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