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Queensland: Dry one month, soaking the next

Ben Domensino, Monday October 16, 2017 - 13:45 AEDT

Widespread rain and thunderstorms are beginning to make up for Queensland's driest start to spring in 14 years.

An upper-level low pressure system that formed over southern Queensland on Sunday helped generate widespread rain and storms during the last 24 hours.

Upper Springbrook collected a whopping 223mm during the 24 hours to 9am on Monday, bringing their two-day total to 307mm.

Archerfield Airport's 78mm during Sunday and Monday morning was the site's heaviest October rain since 1982 and more than a month's worth of rain for this time of year.

Bundaberg Airport collected 64mm during the last three days and has now picked up 305mm so far this month, most of which fell on Monday 2nd October. This is now the airport's wettest October in at least 58 years.

The slow-moving upper low will continue to generate rain and thunderstorms in Queensland's central and eastern districts during the week ahead. Some areas could receive another 100-150mm by the weekend, with higher totals possible about the coast and adjacent ranges.

A large swathe of central and southern Queensland has already received its entire monthly average rainfall for October, including Brisbane (106mm). Some places have even tripled their monthly averages, such as Bundaberg (305mm) and Maryborough (259mm).

The prolific October rain follows Queensland's driest September since 2003 and the 10th driest September on record. This month has been a marked change after such a dry start to spring.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2017

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