Equal wettest week on record for New South Wales

07/03/2012

New South Wales has recorded its equal wettest week on record, after a slow moving rain-band delivered steady rainfall across Australia's southeast, delivering a statewide average of 123.9 mm.

The 2012 record of 123.9 mm is shared with 1974, also a La Nina year, with rainfall figures recorded between 7 and 13 January. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Special Climate Statement, which has collected detailed rainfall data and the underlying meteorology that contributed to this extraordinary event.

Bureau of Meteorology NSW Climate Manager, Aaron Coutts-Smith, said the record breaking rains were the result of an extensive, slow moving cloud band and associated low pressure trough that stretched from the northwest to the southeast of the country, affecting the Northern Territory, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.

"Numerous rainfall stations and entire catchments broke records during the event [between 27 February and 4 March], with 186.5 mm at Charlotte Pass the highest daily figure reported so far," said Dr Coutts-Smith.

"Heavy rainfall persisted for the entire week breaking both daily and 7-day rainfall totals across the southeast.

"Australia is in the throes of two consecutive La Niña events, which have contributed to heavy rainfall and flooding affecting much of eastern Australia.

"As a result of this recent rainfall we are now seeing widespread flooding across southeast New South Wales, and the northern and Gippsland regions of Victoria.

"It is very rare to have such persistent, record-breaking rainfall over such large areas of New South Wales and Victoria," said Dr Coutts-Smith.

Many stations with over 100 years of data collection reached new weekly rainfall records, including Ivanhoe Post Office (294 mm), Wilcannia (239.8 mm), Hay (189 mm), Mount Buffalo (525 mm) and Yackandandah (324 mm), between 27 February and 4 March.

For further information go to 2012 Special Climate Stament