FOR the second year in a row, January’s peak temperatures have been more than three degrees hotter than normal.
According to Bureau of Meteorology figures obtained from the weather station at Albury airport, the twin cities averaged a maximum temperature of 34.6 degrees this month, 3.4 degrees above the long-term average of 31.2.
Last year the cities averaged 34.7 degrees.
It follows on from the three previous years, 2006 to 2008, which were also above average.
“It’s the fifth hotter than normal January on the trot,” Peter Nelson, a retired CSIRO weather forecaster based at Wangaratta, said.
“We seem to be going through some sort of cycle.”
Albury-Wodonga had four 40-plus days and 17 over 35 degrees.
The average is 1.1 and 6.8 days respectively; last year the twin cities recorded five and 15.
Coupled with the higher-than-usual temperatures was lower than usual rainfall.
Only 21mm fell, less than half of the average 49.8mm.
In January last year only 7.8mm fell, just above the record low of 6.8mm.
“Wagga, with only 7mm, recorded its second-driest January since 1965 while two places in the Riverina, Corowa and Barham, were both fortunate to receive 45mm to 50mm during isolated thunderstorms at the start of the month,” Mr Nelson said.
“Rainfall in the North East was generally below average however there were heavier totals up to 100mm in the Ovens Valley and King River Valley.”
And there was little relief when the sun went down with the mean minimum temperature of 17.1 degrees also above the long term average (15.5).
While the heat has no doubt got many people down, it’s been welcomed by the owner of Albury’s Cold Rock Ice Creamery in Dean Street.
“There’s certainly been plenty of numbers down the street, although not quite as successful as last January,” franchise owner Brett Harvey said.
“But last year we were hit by the economic crashing in February and March so we’re in a much better situation this year and hoping for a long and prosperous summer.”
But not too hot.
“Once it gets above 38 a lot of people tend to stay away from the main street and head to the shopping centre or the rivers,” he said.
Mr Harvey said the ice creamery had introduced several new flavours this summer, including watermelon, with more to come as autumn approaches, such as a Red Bull-flavoured sorbet.
But he said the tried and true favourites had again reigned supreme.
“Cookies and cream, we get sell a lot of those,” he said.
“Also, just with the summer months, the berry flavours — forest berries, strawberry, raspberry — they’re quite successful.
“And a lot of people are looking for the healthier options, like the lemon and mango sorbets.”
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