Unlike the previous two months, rainfall for February was dry and well below the average of 47.8 mm.
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The Grenfell Weather Station measured just 13.5 mm for the month being our driest February for over four years. February 2011 Grenfell received 108.8 mm, 2012 175 mm, 2013 95.2 mm and 2014 32.4 mm.
During the month there were several stormy days and some properties experienced heavy rainfall of up to 60 mm, while others receiving just a few mm. The property of Ian and Ruth McKellar, Girrawheen just a few kilometres west of Grenfell measured only 12 mm for the month. While their house dam is getting very low, bores on the farm will supply enough water for stock use until heavy rain arrives.
In the Quandialla area, Glen Idol, the property of Allen and Bev Kelly recorded just 5 mm for the month, after missing the thunderstorms. Allen said that one of the farm dams is empty, however the property has sufficient stock water to last until the Spring.
Grenfell’s rainfall for February this year of 13.5 mm was a far cry from our wettest February in 1959 when 223.9 mm was recorded. Grenfell’s driest Februarys were in 1901, 1910, 1923, 1933, 1940, 1965 when no rain was measured.
Although there was a consistency of very warm to hot days, residents did not experience a heatwave this February. Our hottest day from 9 am was on February 8 when the temperature rose to a very warm 36.4 degrees. On February 9 it was 35.8 degrees, and on both February 23 and 28 it rose to 35 degrees. The 2015 average maximum was 32.1 degrees and the average maximum since 1965 is 31 degrees.
Grenfell’s coldest minimum to 9 am was 10 degrees on February 1 and the highest minimum was a very warm 19.8 degrees on February 17 and 19.1 degrees on February 12. February 2015 minimum average was 15.6 degrees and since 1965 16.7 degrees. The highest minimum since 1965 for February was 29.4 degrees on February 2, 1968.
Our hottest February day since 1965 was on 15/2/2004 when it reached 43.1 degrees. Grenfell’s lowest minimum was recorded on 21/2/2014 when it dropped to a very cool 5.9 degrees. Our lowest maximum 16.5 degrees was recorded on February 2, 2012.
Farmers would like to see a good fall of rain by the end of the month and with the SOI (Southern Oscillation Index) lifting to a more positive reading of +3.3 this week could mean a wetter period ahead. The 2014 Autumn was one of the best for many years, when Grenfell received 103.4 mm for March, 66 mm for April and 72.6 mm for May.
The forecast is for a warmer Autumn this year.
