Weather News

Season breaking in the tropics

The northern tropics is in 'build-up" mode and now some parts are getting their first or heaviest rain since last wet season.

On Sunday morning Cairns picked up 58mm in a burst of heavy showers and storms , the first time more than 20mm has fallen in since April and their highest since March. This recent rain is fairly heavy for this time of year and is effectively early, which most residents may be pretty happy about. It's been eight years since Cairns has had a daily November total this high. The wet season doesn't really kick in until January when the month brings an average of 350mm.

Showers and storms were also heavy in the Darwin area this morning where the city's hospital, Nightcliff and Marrara all gained more than 50mm in short time, their biggest rain since February. This rainfall is also fairly high for this time of year. In fact it's been five years since storms have been this heavy at this time of year.

Darwin airport got 24mm, their heaviest since April.

Further showers and storms are in store for the next few days, but generally not as heavy. Moist easterly winds will lose some of their instability.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2009

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