Data Overview
Dataset Information
Analysis of Melbourne weather data covering the entire year 2024, including daily measurements of temperature, precipitation, wind, and atmospheric pressure from two distinct weather stations.
- Daily weather observations
- Temperature (min, max, average)
- Precipitation and wind data
- Atmospheric pressure readings
Data Limitations
Initial exploration of the Melbourne weather dataset revealed several limitations including significant missing values in 'snow', 'wpgt', and 'tsun' columns, limited temporal coverage from 2024 data only, and incomplete information for key variables in recent records.
- Snow column 93.7% missing (expected for Melbourne)
- Single year temporal coverage (2024 only)
- Measurement uncertainties and outliers
- Limited spatial representation (2 stations)
Analysis Methods
Applied comprehensive statistical analysis including descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and hypothesis testing.
- Descriptive statistics
- Inferential statistics
- Multi-station comparison
- Extreme weather analysis
Data Analysis & Visualization
Monthly Temperature Trends
Monthly average temperatures showing Melbourne's distinct seasonal patterns with summer peaks in December-February and winter lows in June-August. Note the consistent 0.3°C temperature difference between stations.
Temperature Statistics
Key Insight
Melbourne experienced an 11.7°C difference between average summer and winter temperatures, demonstrating the city's temperate oceanic climate with distinct seasonal variation. The Viewbank station recorded slightly higher temperatures (0.3°C higher on average) than the main Melbourne station.
Precipitation Distribution Analysis
Distribution of rainfall events by intensity. The analysis shows that 65% of rainfall events were light (0-5mm), 25% moderate (5-15mm), with heavy rainfall (>15mm) being relatively rare at only 10% of rain days, following a typical right-skewed distribution for precipitation data.
Multi-Station Analysis
Comparison between Melbourne Main station and Viewbank station reveals important microclimatic variations across the metropolitan area.
Temperature Differences
Viewbank station consistently recorded slightly different temperatures than the main Melbourne station, with statistical significance (p < 0.001) indicating genuine microclimatic variations.
Precipitation Variability
Of 11 heavy rainfall events (≥25mm) recorded across both stations, only 4 were captured by both stations simultaneously, highlighting the highly localized nature of intense precipitation in Melbourne.
Wind Correlation
Strong correlation between wind speeds at both stations, but differences in wind direction patterns suggest local topographic influences.
Extreme Weather
Viewbank recorded more extreme temperature days than the main station, likely due to its more inland location away from the moderating effect of Port Phillip Bay.
Station Temperature Comparison
Bar chart comparing extreme weather events and mean temperatures between Melbourne Main and Viewbank stations, showing consistent patterns with systematic differences in extreme event frequency.
Statistical Insights
Correlation Analysis
Strong positive correlations between temperature variables confirmed expected relationships, while pressure showed weak negative correlation with precipitation.
Hypothesis Testing
All hypothesis tests confirmed statistically significant differences, validating the observed weather patterns and station variations.
Extreme Weather Events
Extreme weather events showed spatial variability between stations, with Viewbank experiencing more temperature extremes due to its inland location.
Variable Relationships
Visual representation of key correlations between weather variables, confirming expected relationships between temperature variables (r > 0.8) and identifying the negative correlation between pressure and precipitation (r = -0.27).
Seasonal Weather Characteristics
Radar chart showing the distinct characteristics of each season in Melbourne's climate. Winter shows lower temperatures but higher pressure (1017.2 hPa), while summer displays higher temperatures with lower pressure (1011.4 hPa). Wind speeds are generally higher in winter and spring.
Key Conclusions
Confirmed Findings
- Distinct seasonal temperature patterns with 11.7°C difference between summer (20.3°C) and winter (8.6°C) averages
- Consistent precipitation distribution throughout the year with right-skewed distribution typical for rainfall data
- Strong negative correlation between atmospheric pressure and precipitation probability (4.1 hPa difference)
- Prevailing northerly and southwesterly wind patterns with stronger winds associated with northerly flows
New Insights
- Significant microclimatic variations exist within the Melbourne metropolitan area
- Only 4 of 11 heavy rainfall events were recorded at both stations, highlighting localized precipitation
- Extreme temperature events vary by location, with inland areas experiencing more extremes
- Local topography and urban structure significantly influence wind patterns
Recommendations
- Implement multi-station weather monitoring networks for comprehensive urban climate analysis
- Extend temporal coverage to identify long-term climate trends and anomalies
- Develop urban climate models incorporating local geographic and structural factors
- Use network approaches for accurate extreme weather event characterization
Limitations
- Single year analysis limits long-term trend identification
- Missing data in some variables affects seasonal comparison accuracy
- Two-station network provides limited spatial coverage
- Extreme value validation requires additional historical data verification