Alice Springs is rapidly approaching it's longest dry spell on record, registering 144 consecutive days without any precipitation. The desert town is currently experiencing it's second longest dry spell on record, last picking up rain on the 24th April when 4mm was recorded. The longest spell was recorded back in 1972 when there were 147 days without rain. Alice Springs typically receives about 13 days of rain between May and September. Dry spells are relatively common, with completely dry months not unusual. However, a dry streak of this length is rare, even for the desert. The cause of this extended run of dry days has been due to high pressure ridges generally sitting over the region across the last few months, and a lack of moisture with any frontal activity. Unfortunately for Alice Springs, rain does not look likely any time soon, with the town set to break it's all time record mid next week.