One Month’s Average Rainfall Flooded North Queensland in 24 Hours, Rains Stay Thru the Week
Australia's wettest July in over 100 years shocks weather forecasters
Monsoonal conditions are bringing a record-breaking level of rainfall and shocking weather forecasters in North Queensland.
In Townsville alone, rainfall was measured to be more than six times the total average July rainfall. An average of 89mm rainfall has been dumped across the city within 24 hours, from 9 a.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Tuesday.
The tropical North is experiencing its wettest July since 1941, Courier Mail reports.
Innisfail recorded their wettest July day with 145mm. Such a condition has not been seen in 125 years. Lucinda was drenched with 141mm rainfall. It is the coastal town's heaviest rain in 118 years.
July average rainfall: 14mm
Townsville Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Greg Connors said the average rainfall throughout the entire month of July is typically 14mm.
"(S)o it has been a remarkable event and daily rainfall records have been set for a number of places in just 24 hours," he said.
At least 80mm rainfall in 24 hours
In contrast to Townsville's 89mm average rainfall, the level of rain is over 100mm in over 40 regions from Bowen to Cairns. About 20 city regions got at least 80mm over the same period.
Weather forecasts indicate the rainfall would continue to drench all eastern states and South Australia through the week.
Severe weather continues through the week
"Over the next eight days, widespread totals of up to 50mm are forecast for Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania, with isolated areas receiving falls of up to 100mm," Dick Whitaker, Weather Channel forecaster told Courier Mail.
This severe weather in a supposedly dry winter month comes in an ironic twist to predictions that drought is on for the next summer.
Weather forecasters note broken records
Weather forecasters share their observations of the odd weather conditions and flooding in North Queensland at the moment.
"This has been quite a significant event," weather bureau forecaster Adam Woods said, adding, "There have been a few rainfall records broken, all on the tropical coast where it is usually dry weather this time of year."
With an average of 15mm rainfall, the incessant pouring is drenching Australian regions that would normally be dry this time of the year.