Bureau of Meteorology admits huge rainfall predicted in Victoria was a ‘bit disappointing’

VICTORIANS waiting for a washout weekend got sunburn instead of showers as the state received less than half the rainfall expected.

Waiting for the rain: It was the big rain event that wasn’t, with predictions on Friday that Victoria would see its largest downpour since the drought broke in 2009. Picture: Hamish Blair

VICTORIANS on high alert for a washout weekend complained of sunburn instead of showers as the state got less than half the rainfall expected.

It was the big rain event that wasn’t, with predictions on Friday that Victoria would see its largest downpour since the drought broke in 2009.

Up to 100mm of rain was expected to fall by in the state’s north by today in a four-day event, while the south was set to get 50 to 70mm.

But suburbs around Melbourne got between 20 to 25mm of rain, with clear skies yesterday seeing people pull out their beach towels rather than their umbrellas.

The north of the state got the most rain, with Mt Wombat, near Strathbogie, recording 134mm.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Terry Ryan said the weekend’s rainfall was a “bit disappointing” and that it was difficult to predict exactly how much rain would fall.

Showers had been expected to continue today, but this morning’s forecast shows a sunny day with a top of 29C.

A tropical low is set to come through from the west tonight, bringing showers tomorrow and Wednesday.