Weather News

Rain and storms strike New South Wales

Rain and storms have flared up across New South Wales, bringing the most significant rain in months to some locations.

Western and northern parts of the state have received the highest totals so far, with the largest totals on and west of the divide.

Storms have been the main source of the rain over the west with a line of storms moving across the Upper Western and Lower Western districts this morning, with over 7000 lightning strikes recorded. The storms have promised to be intense enough for a severe thunderstorm warning to be issued this morning. Gamboalley received 27mm to 9am, and White Cliffs picked up 18mm with 63km/h winds as the line moved through.

Further east, rain has been the main feature. Glen Innes recorded 29mm and Guyra 17mm, their highest rainfall since February and heaviest July rainfall in 2 years. Inverell recorded 38mm, about their monthly average. This is also its heaviest rain in seven months and highest daily July total in 11 years.

The cause of these rain and storms has been a trough lying across the region, being fed by moist northerly winds sourced from the tropics. The trough will move east across the region on Friday and Saturday, confining the rain and storms to the northeast of the state, with a further 50mm possible.

Sunday and into the working week will see a return to mostly sunny conditions as a high moves across the region.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2012

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