Rainy start to the week in central Victoria | Photos

Central Victoria gets a drenching.

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BENDIGO has surpassed its average rainfall total for May in the space of just nine days, largely thanks to the drenching the city received in the past two days.

As of 7.30am Tuesday Bendigo had received 45.8 millimetres throughout May, far above the typical 33.3 millimetres for the month and only just short of last year’s May total of 47 millimetres.

More than 11 millimetres fell at Bendigo in the 24 hours to 9am Monday, and the city experienced a further 13.2 millimetres in the 22 and a half hours to 7.30am Tuesday.

Meanwhile Maryborough saw 11 millimetres fall in the 24 hours to 9am Monday, while Castlemaine received six millimetres.

But while the rain would have been welcomed by farmers, it proved to be problematic for some.

As of Monday afternoon the Bendigo State Emergency Service had responded to about 10 call-outs for assistance, most for building damage such as leaking roofs and one for a fallen tree.

A severe weather warning for potential thunderstorms and heavy rain was issued for central and northern Victoria in the early morning, which was later updated with a forecast of damaging winds of 50 to 60 km/h with peak gusts of 90-100 km/h.

Even before the wind warning was issued Natalie Stanway from Bendigo SES said the service received a call after a trampoline was blown out of a backyard and hit a house three houses away.

Other parts of the region recorded significant falls as well, with some readers reporting impressive recordings in their rain gauges.

Gay Little commented on the Bendigo Advertiser’s Facebook page that she emptied 21 millimetres from her gauge at Huntly at 8.30am Monday and by 1pm had collected another 10 millimetres.

Meanwhile Trudie Ann reported that she had recorded a massive 56 millimetres at Marong by 12.30pm, and Suzie Shaddock said Tooborac had seen a similar figure.

Tim Coyle wrote he had recorded 31 millimetres at south Kangaroo Flat over Sunday and Monday morning.

The rain comes as a particular relief for farmers, with City of Greater Bendigo mayor Rod Fyffe writing to the state government last month to request the area be officially declared a drought-affected municipality.

Soils are still warm so everything we've sown is going to germinate... and hopefully we'll get some pasture growth before winter. - Tim Demeo

Raywood mixed crop and grazing farmer Tim Demeo was among those who welcomed the rain with open arms.

"Soils are still warm so everything we've sown is going to germinate quickly and hopefully we'll get some pasture growth before winter sets in," he said.

His property has had about 46 milimetres of rain in 10 days.

"That's a pretty good autumn break," Mr Demeo said.

"It would be made to order if the weather fined up for 10 days so we could get a bit of cropping done."

There is a high chance of showers on Tuesday morning, but these will become less likely as the day progresses.

Bendigo and Maryborough are looking at a maximum of 16 degrees, while Castlemaine can expect to reach 15 degrees.