Parts of New South Wales have recorded their best daily April rainfall in decades, as a strong cold front and trough sweeped over the state overnight.

Thunderstorms as well as a band of showers over central parts of the state produced the highest rainfall. Mandagery (near Parkes) recorded the heaviest falls with 76mm recorded in the gauge in the 24 hours to 9am Saturday.

Parkes Airport recorded a very welcome 69mm of rainfall, its wettest April day in 61 years and its equal wettest April day in 131 years of records. 

Both Mudgee and West Wyalong recorded their wettest April days in 30 years with 55mm and 38mm of rain falling in the gauge respectively.

Bathurst’s 40mm of rain was its wettest April day in more than 25 years of records, while Nullo Mountains 67mm was its wettest April day in more than 26 years of records.

A host of other locations also had their wettest April day in 22 years including Dubbo (64mm), Triangle (56mm), Wellington (56mm), and Cobar (44mm). Furthermore, Orange (44mm) and Peak Hill (51mm) had their wettest April days in 21 years.

Image: Daily rainfall observations across NSW to 9am Saturday 

Large numbers of other locations across NSW received more than 10mm of rain as the series of troughs and a cold front crossed the state. The rainfall has now mostly passed the state as a dry, mild-to-warm airmass has moved over the state. The remainder of the weekend will be quite sunny over NSW, with a chilly Sunday morning ahead.