End of the line for weather station

End of the line for weather station

After 106 years of recording CBD weather, the LaTrobe St weather observation station has been closed.

The weather bureau has moved the station to a new site at Olympic Park where, it says, the readings are less affected by urbanisation.

Melbourne’s weather has been measured at the site on the corner of LaTrobe and Victoria streets since 1908. 

Prior to that, it was measured at the Flagstaff Gardens (1858-1863), and at the Melbourne Observatory at the Botanic Gardens (1863-1908).

The bureau says that wind readings had progressively deteriorated over the years, due to obstruction by buildings constructed around the city, and were finally switched off in 2009.

In November 2013, the bureau launched a new observation station at Olympic Park where air temperature, wind speed and direction, air pressure, rainfall and relative humidity are now measured.

The bureau operated the two observation stations in tandem for more than 12 months to compare data and identify differences in the readings for forecast and long-term climate comparisons.

Initial results suggest the new site shows similar rainfall and temperature readings in most weather conditions, although it is cooler in southerly winds and sea breezes.

LaTrobe St statistics: Hottest: 46.4°C (February 7, 2009) Coldest: -1.5°C (July 4, 1963) Wettest: 113.4 mm (February 3, 2005)

Since Labor has been in power …

Since Labor has been in power …

March 20th, 2024 - Evan Mulholland
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