Throughout the week, a large slow moving high pressure system centred south of the mainland, pushed onshore flow and persistent rainfall along parts of the east coast. Weekly totals of 10 mm to locally more than 100 mm were recorded along coastal New South Wales and parts of Queensland.

From 15 May, tropical moisture from a northwest cloudband, brought rainfall across a diagonal band spanning Australia to the south-east, including weekly totals of at least 5 mm to 50 mm over most of the region, and up to more than 100 mm in the north of the Lake Eyre basin.

During the week, cold fronts brought light to moderate rain to some southern areas, with parts of the far south-west coast of Western Australia recording weekly totals of 10 to 25 mm.

The highest weekly total (at a Bureau gauge) of 247.0 mm was recorded at Topaz Alert, and the highest daily total of 81.0 mm was recorded at Binna Burra Alert and Numinbah Alert (both Queensland) in the 24 hours to 9 am on 18 May.

Seven-day rainfall outlook