10/08/2010: Wagga Wagga has been hit by one of the most intense thunderstorms to hit the region in a decade, according to weatherzone.com.au.

A line of storms hit the South West Slopes city at about 2pm on Tuesday dumping about 13 millimetres of rain in just 10 minutes, which led to some flash flooding. The airport's weather station has not recorded a rain rate that high in at least 10 years.

The storm also produced hail but only about one centimetre in diameter, not large enough to cause significant damage.

Wagga Wagga has now had more than 28mm from today's storms, making this its wettest August day in 18 years.

Nearby, another big storm struck West Wyalong, where 18 millimetres fell, including seven in 10 minutes.

Lines of storms also affected the Riverina, Lower Western and Central West Slopes and Plains and parts of northern Victoria.

In Victoria's north Yarrawonga and Wangarratta have had more than 20mm each, already their wettest August day in five years. Earlier Kerang gained 17mm, an 11-year high for August.

"These storms will fizzle out to just the odd brief shower tonight as an offending low pressure system weakens," weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutschke said.

"Over the next few days the low will head east, causing winds to turn colder and stronger westerly and bring a few showers," Dutschke said.

"Winds in the next few days will be quite strong but much drier, so the showers will not amount to much rain."

Media Inquiries:

Brett Dutschke
media@weatherzone.com.au
02 9965 9236

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