Paul Rosser 
November, as predicted was above the average rainfall of 25.0mm, scoring 37.5mm. It rained on six of the 30 days in the month. This took the year to date (YTD) figure to 334.0mm.
This compares with the past thirteen years, as follows:
2024 37.5mm 334.0mm (2)
2023 84.0mm 547.5mm
2022 108.mm 564.0mm
2021 40.5mm 489.5mm
2020 11.5mm 467.5mm
2019 25.5mm 355.0mm
2018 49.5mm 332.0mm (1)
2017 9.0mm 473.0mm
2016 12.5mm 610.5mm
2015 14.0mm 407.0mm
2014 19.0mm 364.0mm
2013 9.0mm 478.0mm
2012 15.0mm 491.0mm
While this November was in the top rainfalls for the last 13 years the YTD figure tells a different story. 2024 has the second lowest YTD figure. No wonder our soil moisture levels are so poor & our watering regimes are in full swing. This was evident when I dug a hole 300mm deep the other day & it was dry the whole way down. If you are watering by hose in hand, a rule of thumb is one minute on full pressure equals ten litres. Check your drippers to see what they are delivering to your plants. Many fruit trees need at least 175mm per week in total to produce good fruit over summer.
December 1st marks the first day of our summer. It is also the beginning of the fire ban season for the Mount Lofty Ranges & the Metropolitan Area. This goes until the 30th April 2025. During this time restrictions apply. These vary with conditions, so it is wise to check the Information Hotline on 1800 362 361 for the rules that apply on any particular day & situation. For Villagers it is best to NOT light fires or use tools that emit sparks in the open during this time. Get yourself a copy of ‘Your Guide to Bushfire Safety” from the Country Fire Service which gives you all the information you will need to keep safe, including what to put in your personal Bushfire Action Plan. Also make sure you have adequate insurance for your House & Contents.
The average rainfall for December in Aldinga/Noarlunga over the last hundred years is 21.0mm. Forecasters feel we may get slightly higher than this. Sea temperatures around the north of Australia are very warm at present. We could see Tropical Cyclones as a result that may give us some additional rain. Night & day temperatures will be slightly higher than average for our area. Soil moisture will remain very dry until next winter.
That’s it for now. Have a great Xmas & I’ll be back in early 2025.
Paul
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