Territory under transition
Guy Dixon,
Saturday December 20, 2014 - 12:13 AEDT
Transition season is well under way across northern Australia with thunderstorms a regular occurrence each afternoon.
Thunderstorms over parts of the Northern Territory were particularly active overnight, delivering some of the best December rain in 5 years.
Litchfield managed to pick up the most significant totals territory wide with 70 millimetres to 9am today. Following closely behind was Mango Farm which recorded 61 millimetres, the heaviest December rainfall since 2010.
Batchelor received their heaviest December rainfall in five years with a respectable 58 millimetres.
In terms of rain rates, Darwin Airport was a clear front runner receiving 21 millimetres within just ten minutes.
It is not uncommon to see rainfall totals ramping up at this time of year. The build-up to the wet season typically sees the most dynamic thunderstorm activity as opposed to the established wet season which generally sees persistent rain.
A broad region of low pressure will continue to linger over northern Australia as the season progresses however the next week is looking to be particularly dynamic. A low pressure trough which is extending from the Kimberley to the Interior has the potential to trigger storms and very heavy rainfall. After multiple days of heavy rainfall, flooding could become a risk.
Conditions look to settle down for the most parts as this trough shifts west next Saturday.
- Weatherzone
© Weatherzone
2014