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WA farmers brace for rare summer deluge

Ben Domensino, Wednesday February 8, 2017 - 13:45 AEDT

Five month's worth of rain could fall over Western Australia's wheat belt during the next three days.

Unseasonably heavy rain will develop across the state's South West Land Division, Goldfields and south coast from Thursday to Saturday. This part of Australia typically receives 10-20mm of rain during February, although many areas could see 50-100mm in the next three days.

This rainfall event will be driven by the southward movement of a low pressure system that is currently producing flooding rain over the Pilbara and Kimberley Districts. As the low moves south, it will cause tropical moisture to clash with cooler and drier air moving up from the Southern Ocean. This interaction will trigger heavy rain and thunderstorms for about three days.

Perth should receive 30-60mm during Thursday and Friday, which is well above the 13mm that usually falls during the month of February. Areas around Esperance could see well over 100mm between now and the weekend, which is at least four times the monthly average at this time of year.

A Flood Watch is in place for the Central West District, where catchments are already wet from recent rainfall.

Perth's impending rainfall comes off the back of its wettest January in 17 years and there is a risk of flooding in the city during the next two days.

Stay up to date with the latest flood warnings at http://www.weatherzone.com.au/warnings.jsp

- Weatherzone

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