Rainfalls during July over most of Victoria tended to exceed the average except in Melbourne and surrounding suburbs where rainfall totals were about two thirds of the monthly average. Wangaratta recorded 65.6mms, Benalla 77mms, Rutherglen 72.8mms, Strathbogie 168.6mms, Mt Hotham 167mms, Mt Buller 184mms and Falls Creek 176mms. The mean maximum temperature at Wangaratta for July was 13.3 degrees whilst the mean minimum temperature was 3.2 degrees. Both readings were a shade above the long term normal. The highest temperature was 17.4 degrees on 2 July whilst the lowest temperature was minus 1.3 on 1 July. Benalla and Rutherglen also had their highest temperature of around 17 degrees on 2 July and their lowest temperature of around minus 2 degrees on 1 July. There were fewer frosts than usual during July due to more strong winds than normal. Bendigo recorded 93mms during July, which was the wettest since 99mms in July 1995. In SA, Adelaide recorded 111mms for July, which was the wettest since 130mms in July 1995. Ceduna recorded much needed rainfall of 68mms - its wettest July since 1998 - after the driest January to May period since 1923. In NSW Wilcannia recorded 52mms, which was its wettest July since 57mms in 2010. Moree with 91mms recorded its wettest July since 125mms in 2001. Cairns has recorded its warmest July in 135 years of records. The mean maximum temperature of 28.2 degrees was nearly three degrees above the July normal and surpassed the previous warmest July of 2010 and 1905.
