2006 Eight-Driest Year On Record For Melbourne - Courier-Mail

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MELBURNIANS have endured their eighth-driest year on record, according to online weather agency, Weatherzone.

Melbourne recorded just 437mm of rainfall in 2006, well short of the long-term average of 653mm. It was the driest year since 2002, when 397mm fell in the city.

Weatherzone meteorologist Matt Pearce attributed the dry to the El Nino pattern which was present during the second half of the year. “El Nino patterns result in well below normal rainfall across south-eastern Australia, especially during the spring months,” he said.

“There could also be some argument that this year's drought can be attributed, at least partly, to climate change that is now occurring across the globe as a whole.

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http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,20994367-5003402,00.html