Victorian rain relief forecast at last but could stall harvest

VAST swathes of Victoria are set to receive a healthy dump of rain in coming days, with parts of the state forecast to ­receive more than 20mm.

VAST swathes of Victoria are set to receive a healthy dump of rain in coming days, with parts of the state forecast to ­receive more than 20mm.

While some parts of Victoria and southern NSW — such as Hay and Mildura — are yet to receive any rain for December, as of Monday Horsham had received just 3.6mm, Swan Hill 5.4mm, Albury 8.6mm and Mortlake 9mm.

Conditions have been slightly wetter in Portland, which received 18.8mm for ­December so far, with Bairnsdale receiving 17.4mm and Geelong 11mm.

Bureau of Meteorology climatologist Blair Trewin said it had been a dry year for most of the state, in particular northern Victoria, despite southern Victoria receiving some rain.

“In the coming days the state is expected to receive 25mm of rain,” Mr Trewin said.

“This will not be enough to be on par with the average rainfall, but it will ensure conditions are less extreme.”

Agriculture Victoria climate specialist Dale Grey said summer was always a volatile season for rainfall in Victoria.

“Certainly the event we’ll see tomorrow is the first event we’ll see that’s perhaps less stormy and more general in nature,” he said.

“At the moment the prediction is for the eastern half of Victoria to get about 50mm of rain, that will put us well and truly over the December average. Areas west of Melbourne, Bendigo and Echuca will get in the order of 20 to 50mm.”

Mr Grey said any rain that falls this week will stall an ­already delayed harvest for parts of the state.

“It’s still frustrating, the crop is not off, the northern Mallee is finished, the southern Mallee is close, the Wimmera certainly is not finished and the southwest has only just started,” he said.

“It’s been a frustrating harvest. There have been very few days to harvest in between rain events and fire events, but you have to wait for things to dry out with the rain.

“That’s why a harvest that shouldn’t have taken very long has gone on way longer.”

Mr Grey said any rain that falls this week could impact fruit harvest, particularly cherries and other stone fruit.

But persistent December rain could boost soil moisture levels for winter crop sowing in 2019.

“Rainfall in March is the crucial bit,” he said.

“If it falls in March, it’ll be available for the crop.

“If it falls in December it has to be a large amount, otherwise the sun will suck it out.

“The sun always wins.”