Weather News

WA set for a steady soaking

Kim Westcott, Friday May 22, 2015 - 14:38 AEST

Western Australia's Pilbara region is likely to see a week long rain event.

Over the next seven days, from Port Hedland to Karratha and extending east to around Marble Bar, weekly rainfall amounts will be in the region of 70-100mm. Rain will extend further inland to the Interior districts, with weekly totals of 30-60mm likely.

A broad low pressure trough combining with an upper-level cloud band will deepen over the Pilbara region, where it is likely to remain near-stationary for the next seven days. With the trough being fueled by warm tropical waters, rain totals will add up quickly, especially around the coast.

In the Pilbara, falls are typically the highest during January to March under the monsoon trough and the occasional cyclone. In May, Marble Bar usually records 12mm and Port Hedland will typically see eight millimeters of rain. With these higher-than-average rainfall amounts expected, a flood watch is in place for the Pilbara.

Thick cloud, rain and occasional thunderstorms will spread across the rest of the country from the start of next week, with rain clearing the WA by this time next week.

- 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.