Winter 2015
After a cooler and more humid summer which saw our nursery plants flourish in the relatively benign conditions, winter time in the Dandenong Ranges is here! Monthly rainfall locally at 35mm is around half of the 60 year average with yearly rainfall to date being reduced from a long term average of around 384 to 300 mm this year.
The Bureau of Meteorology tells us that an El Nino event is continuing to strengthen in the southern Pacific Ocean associated with below average winter rainfall and elevated sea surface temperatures. By contrast, unusually this year in mid May it lightly snowed at Mt Dandenong and nearby areas.
The average temperature for Winter 2015 in the Dandenong Ranges has been 0.4 degrees less than the historical average. A number of frosts have had an effect of burning the young foliage and freezing the moisture in the cells of many local native and exotic plants.
Light snow cover in the Dandenongs in Winter 2008. (Australian Weather Calendar)
Our nursery plant production is underway at a rapid rate to meet the demands of state & local councils and community groups this year. Thanks to Lesley and Karl & our loyal volunteers, who are doing a magnificent job in meeting the needs of the community and agencies.
Bandicoot presentation by Sarah McClagan
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