Parts of the nation's heart received healthy rainfall overnight, receiving the heaviest January total in 17 years. As a moisture laden trough straddled the country from the northwest to the southeast, arid parts of Central Australia saw persistent showers amid isolated thunderstorms. Kulgera managed to top the list when looking at 24 hour rainfall, collecting 42mm to 9am, the heaviest single day of rain since February 2011. This also goes down as the heaviest rainfall event for January since 1999. The town managed to exceed its monthly average of 27.7mm in one fell swoop, pushing the total to 49mm so far this month. Nearby however, Alice Springs hasn't been as lucky. Despite seeing regular showers over the past four days, the heaviest showers have been avoiding the region, limiting totals to the single figures. The next rain bearing trough looks to move over the Red Centre mid-way through next week.