Rain ends southeast dry spell

The skies have opened over southeast Queensland, with rain falling after the region recorded its driest December on record before enduring a dry January. FORECAST

The downpour ends a long dry spell for the southeast. Picture: Mark Cranitch

THE skies have opened over southeast Queensland, with rain falling after the region recorded its driest December on record before enduring a dry January.

A Bureau of Meteorology spokesman said there was a downpour from south of Noosa to the NSW border and east of the ranges.

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“Roughly that area saw anywhere in range of 10-25mm of rain but there were some areas which have seen as much as 25-55mm,” he said.

The downpour ends a long dry spell for the southeast. Picture: Mark Cranitch

The Brisbane Airport recorded 25mm while there was 15mm in the city.

“The heaviest falls were 55m at Oceanview, north east of the Wivenhoe dam.

“The forecast is similar conditions for today, with a good chance of showers until tomorrow. There is a trough coming to the area late Saturday and Sunday so there are chances of showers and possibly a storm on Sunday into Monday,” the spokesman said.

It’s the first downpour for Brisbane after data collected at Brisbane Airport showed the city had its driest December on record with 51 millimetres in December and then only 27.6 millimetres in January.

Until last night, the city had only had about 32mm rainfall across January and February.

The forecast for Brisbane is for showers easing today and a top of 31, a shower or two and 31C tomorrow, shower or two and 30C Friday before possible showers over the weekend and a top of 33C.

The Gold Coast can expect showers and a top of 29C today and tomorrow, a shower or two and 28C Friday before possible showers over the weekend and tops of 30C and 31C.

The Sunshine Coast can expect more showers today and 28C, a shower or two and 29C tomorrow, showers and 27C Friday, before possible showers over the weekend.

It comes as the Bureau of Meteorology recorded a drop in the intense heavy rainfalls damaging the far north and north west of the state.

The highest recorded rainfall overnight was 235mm at Michael Creek, north west of Townsville.

The second highest drop was at Rollingstone where 150mm was recorded.

“What we have seen in the last 24 hours is a reduction of rainfalls … this is the first day in five or six days when we haven’t seen any total rainfalls in excess of 300mm in that area,” the spokesman said.