Weather News

Coastal QLD missing winter rain

Kim Westcott, Tuesday August 4, 2015 - 13:24 AEST

After the wettest June in 72 years of records at Cairns, July's monthly rain was slightly below average, recording 25mm compared to 178mm the month before.

In Townsville, drier-than-average conditions have persisted throughout since September last year. Townsville has collected 253mm of rain this year after a very dry wet season, compared to the average of 920mm, making it the driest year so far in 74 years. In July, it only rained once, and then only 0.2mm landed in the rain gauge.

In Mackay, a wetter than average June was followed by a drier July. Rainfall so far this year is over 700mm short of the long term average, with completely dry conditions for the past two weeks.

Further south, winter rainfall has been inconsistent. In the Sunshine coast, the winter rainfall deficit compared to average is over 100mm. In Brisbane, the winter deficit remains around 40mm.

Over the next fortnight, a large high pressure ridge will bring dry conditions inland and a few light showers along the coast, although heavy rainfall is slim. With over 80% of QLD being drought declared, the chance of achieving average rainfall throughout August for coastal QLD is not promising, particularly south of Mackay. For inland areas as well as the far north, the chance of achieving average August rainfall is even lower.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2015

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A very wet weekend for southeast Qld, northeast NSW

11:48 AEST A prolonged rainfall event is set to bring large totals to parts of NSW and Qld from Saturday, with possible heavy falls and flooding. A low-pressure system in the Coral Sea, a deepening coastal trough and persistent easterlies will bring moisture-laden air into southeast Qld and northeast NSW will bring days of rainfall to the region. While there is not a drop of rain on the radar over southeast Qld and Northeast NSW on Friday morning, the mass of cloud associated with a low in the Coral Sea will enhance rainfall over the weekend.