News

Rain hits wide areas, but wildly variable so far

Beef Central, 19/02/2014

Confident predictions by weather forecasters of widespread rain across large areas of drought-affected Queensland and NSW have proven only partially accurate so far this week, with falls extending across large areas but recorded totals varying wildly from one rain gauge to the next.

Some of the best rain has been recorded in drought-ravaged areas of Queensland’s Gulf, central west, and south west and New South Wales’ western and northern regions, however many dry areas remain desperate for that all elusive break.

Among the larger accumulated rainfall totals (25mm plus) received for the week to date (current until 10:20am this morning) include:

Queensland: Croydon 95mm, Herbert Vale 119mm, Julia Creek 30mm, Normanton 65mm; Forsayth 169mm, Georgetown 180mm, Greenvale 123mm, Hughenden 107mm, Richmond 85mm, Collinsville 59mm, Charters Towers 70mm, Moranbah 20mm, Alpha 161mm, Carnarvon Station 107mm, Clermont 42mm, Tambo 62mm, Aramac 59mm, Barcaldine 87mm, Isisford 32mm, Longreach 31mm, Muttaburra 64mm, Camooweal 85mm, Winton 92mm, Bedourie 30mm, Boulia 27mm, Quilpie 30mm, Thargomindah 130mm, Cunnamulla 79mm, Bollon 41mm, Eulo 46mm, Charleville 58mm, Augathella 94mm, Morven 81mm, Roma 67mm, Surat 57mm, Meandarra 81mm, Goondiwindi 25mm, Texas 29mm, and Clifton 32mm.

New South Wales: Angledool 52mm, Bourke 34mm, Brewarrina 40mm, Cobar 71mm, Belatta 71mm, Garah 39mm, Moree 29mm, Mungindi 42mm, Narrabri 33mm, Pallamallawa 34mm, Coonabarabran 77mm, Cowra 41mm, Cudal 32mm, Dunedoo 80mm, Dubbo 46mm, Forbes 36mm, Parkes 51mm, Wellington 44mm, Coonamble 45mm, Condobolin 37mm, Gilgandra 86mm, Trangie 52mm, Tullamore 44mm, Armidale 47mm, Glen Innes 42mm, Guyra 32mm, Tingha 46mm, Barraba 58mm; Breeza 39mm, Gunnedah 47mm, Manilla 34mm, Nundle 42mm, Qurindi 31mm, Tamworth 41mm,  Dorrigo 63mm, Gloucester 47mm, Taree 41mm, Cessnock 57mm,  Scone 65mm, Tocal 58mm, Bathurst 75mm, Bigga 48mm, Blayney 62mm, Gulgong 81mm, Mudgee 58mm, Oberon 103mm; Orange 77mm, Goulburn 70mm, Albury 30mm, Cootamundra 72mm, Wagga 26mm, Young 27mm, Booligal 68mm, Griffith 42mm, Hay 34mm, Jerilderie 32mm.

Listed in this manner it is easy to get the false impression that heavy rain has blanketed large areas of both states but the reality is that many more centres in and around those listed have barely received enough rain to settle the dust.

Areas where smiles are widest will include Thargomindah in Queensland’s southwest, which recorded 123mm in the 24 hours to 9am yesterday, the town’s biggest total since 1991, and more rain than the last ten months combined.

Parts of the State’s drought-ravaged north have also received timely relief, with Georgetown collecting 123mm to 9am yesterday, its heaviest rain since January 2009.

In NSW falls were not quite as heavy however useful totals were still recorded over the state's parched north. Coonabarabran picked up 45mm to 9am yesterday, its best rain in almost a year.

The trough that has brought the rain is expected to gradually edge west over the coming days, but should continue to generate widespread showers and thunderstorms over NSW's northern inland and the Qld interior, according to WeatherZone.

The heaviest falls are expected between today and tomorrow, with isolated totals of more than 100mm possible each day under thunderstorms.

  • More on where the rain fell, and how much, on Beef Central tomorrow
     

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