Weather News

Northern NSW treated to a light show and widespread rain

Sam Brown, Saturday July 26, 2014 - 12:37 AEST

A deep low pressure trough created a light show for residents and visitors alike about northern parts of New South Wales, with some areas picking up daily rain not seen since April.

Storms started occurring just east of Gilgandra at around 7pm last night, with over 1300 lightning strikes recorded within 100km of Gilgandra since last night. As the trough deepened, thunderstorms sparked up in a line from about Bourke to Maitland, creating a spectacular light show.

The trough then moved slowly east bringing the storms with it. For those early birds, another round of storms flared up in a line from about Mudgee to Lithgow, while continuing east across to Gunnedah and Tamworth today. There were just over 300 hundred lightning strikes recorded within 100km of Tamworth overnight and into today.

A bright light show wasn't the only feature these storms brought, with widespread showers dumping daily totals not seen since April. Merriwa and Scone gained 25mm and 22mm respectively, making it their heaviest 24 hour rain since April. Mudgee also picked up its heaviest rain so far this month at 20.6mm.

The trough will continue in an easterly track, while weakening. This will take most of the storms and rain offshore later today. A high pressure system building in the troughs wake will clear skies for the sun to appear tomorrow and create a pleasant day to finish the weekend off.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2014

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