Kilmore Gap is a broad and low saddle located between Wallan and Kilmore in Victoria, Australia.

Geography edit

It forms a break in the Great Dividing Range, separating the Western Highlands from the more mountainous Eastern Highlands. At its lowest point, it is approximately 335 metres (1,099 ft) above sea level (AHD).[1] Located on the Kilmore Gap is Pretty Sally or Pretty Sally Hill.[2]

Transport edit

It serves as a gateway to the interior plains from Melbourne and surrounding settlements, and as such has developed as a major transport corridor, including the Hume Highway and a rail line, both of which are principal links between Melbourne and Sydney.[1] It is also used by VFR flights on the Melbourne Inland Route from Sugarloaf Reservoir to Kilmore.[3]

Climate edit

The Bureau of Meteorology operates a weather station known as Wallan (Kilmore Gap) established in 1993.[4] The saddle is exposed to the west-southwest at an altitude of 528 metres (1,732 ft) and is commonly met with sleet and at times, snow. Winters are very rainy, averaging around 20 days of precipitation in each winter month, although these tend to be light and misty. Storms are most common from late winter to late spring, in which graupel is a frequent occurrence.

Climate data for Wallan (Kilmore Gap, 1993–2022); 528 m AMSL; 37.38° S, 144.97° E
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 25.3
(77.5)
24.6
(76.3)
21.6
(70.9)
17.1
(62.8)
12.9
(55.2)
9.9
(49.8)
9.2
(48.6)
10.6
(51.1)
13.2
(55.8)
16.3
(61.3)
19.6
(67.3)
22.4
(72.3)
16.9
(62.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 12.5
(54.5)
12.6
(54.7)
11.1
(52.0)
9.0
(48.2)
6.9
(44.4)
4.9
(40.8)
4.0
(39.2)
4.3
(39.7)
5.7
(42.3)
6.9
(44.4)
9.0
(48.2)
10.3
(50.5)
8.1
(46.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 50.4
(1.98)
43.9
(1.73)
48.1
(1.89)
56.9
(2.24)
59.1
(2.33)
70.1
(2.76)
59.8
(2.35)
64.1
(2.52)
61.3
(2.41)
57.4
(2.26)
69.4
(2.73)
45.6
(1.80)
701.3
(27.61)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 9.6 9.1 11.9 13.7 17.5 20.1 21.6 19.5 15.8 15.0 12.9 10.2 176.9
Source: Bureau of Meteorology; Wallan (Kilmore Gap)

References edit

  1. ^ a b Cochrane, G.W.; G.W. Quick; D. Spencer-Jones (1995). Introducing Victorian Geology (PDF). Geological Society of Australia (Victorian Division). p. 66. ISBN 0-949600-33-4. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  2. ^ http://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/gbbregn.nsf/pages/gbb_landform_landsys_gb_pdf_secbb/$FILE/goulburn%20valley%20recon%20section%20b%20prt%207%20.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  3. ^ "Melbourne Basin Visual Pilot Guide 2010" (PDF). Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  4. ^ "Wallan (Kilmore Gap". Climate Data Site. Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 22 June 2011.

37°23′S 145°2′E / 37.383°S 145.033°E / -37.383; 145.033