Grenfell’s wettest December was in 1947 when 239.1 mm was measured and the driest was in 1979 when no rain was recorded.

The heavy rains during the month were mainly due to heavy and severe thunderstorm activity, especially during the Christmas period. The 110.4 mm brought the total for the year to 632.1 mm or 25 inches and 28 points. The total fall is just a little above Grenfell’s average rainfall of 23 and half inches.

December’s rainfall just shaded the March total of 103.4 mm and that rain was the beginning of one of our best Autumns for years much to the delight of local farmers. Another 66 mm in April followed by 72.6 mm in May had farmers excited with the prospects of a wonderful season. The Winter months also recorded useful rainfall with 61.1 mm in June, 39.4 mm in July and 33.8 mm in August. By this time the district was looking in top shape and crops and pastures were coming along very well.

All what farmers were wanting now was a good Spring break and although beneficial rain was experienced during September with 40.8 mm recorded at Grenfell, the rainfall tapered off with just 28.6 mm in October and 22.8 mm in November. The poorer Spring rain left many crops stressed, by the lack of moisture, dropping the expected high yields. Fortunately frost damage was minimal and not like the previous year when a lot of farmers suffered crop loss due to the heavy frosts.

Many district farmers were quite happy with their harvest, while many were a little disappointed.

“Glen Idol”, the Quandialla property of Allen and Bev Kelly was again hit by severe lightning strike and a damaging windstorm on Tuesday, December 23.

A lightning bolt struck a nearby pepper tree, also the property’s fuse box and water pump. Earlier in December, “Glen Idol” was thrown into darkness when a lightning bolt hit the same fuse box.

Allen said heavy rain, hail and gale force winds accompanied the wild storm. It was stated that the wild winds near Bimbi wrecked a shed and blew a silo up into the nearby gum trees. It was said that a wild wind storm at Wirrinya also caused considerable damage in that area on the same day.

Allen went on to say that the 2014 harvest created no records, but was satisfactory. “Glen Idol” measured a total of 508 mm for the year and recorded 107 mm for December. The property also measured 54 mm so far for January.

On Sunday, January 4, there were reports of over 3 inches of rain from thunderstorms in the Caragabal area.

The nearby property of Ian and Ruth McKellar, “Girrawheen” recorded 22 inches and 22 points for 2014. Ian said their harvest was average but was nothing to get too excited over. He said, the drier Spring months were disappointing following such a great start to the season.

To the east of Grenfell, the Greenethorpe property of David and Leonie Brown, “Gamburra”, experienced a much better harvest. David said overall the result was pleasing after little frost damage. He said he measured 626 mm of rain for 2014.

Temperatures during December were about average both minimum and maximum. Since 1965 the average minimum temperature for the month is 14.5 degrees, in 2014 it was 14.8 degrees while the average maximum since 1965 is 29.7 degrees and in 2014 the average was 30.2 degrees.

Grenfell’s coldest morning was felt on December 18 when it was 7.4 degrees and also on December 20 it was a cool 7.6 degrees. The maximum temperature from 9 am was recorded on December 16 when it was a very warm 36.5 degrees and again on December 22 35.9 degrees.

December’s highest minimum since 1965 was 27.6 degrees on December 21, 1994 and the hottest day was in 1972 when the temperature rose to 41 degrees. Our coldest December morning was on 6th 2002 when it dropped to 4.3 degrees and the lowest maximum was recorded on December 26, 1968 when a very cool day was experienced when it just reached 14.4 degrees.

To date, January has been wetter than normal with a total rainfall till Monday morning of 50.5 mm. The rain was caused when a pair of low pressure troughs generated areas of rain and thunderstorms over South Australia, NSW, South West Queensland and Northern Victoria.

Grenfell has not experienced a wet January since 1995 when 186.2 mm was measured. Our wettest January was in 1984 when a massive 290 mm was recorded.