NT weather: Grab your brolly and rain jackets folks, the wet season is here

The Top End woke to the start of the dry season’s closure with thunderstorms rumbling over the Territory. Find out how much rain fell, and where.

Darwin residents woke to the unusual sound of rain Saturday morning as thunderstorms spread across the Top End

The Bureau of Meteorology said the sudden downpour could be the beginning of the end for the Territory's dry season this year.

Meteorologist Billy Lynch said Saturday’s rain should be short lived – with a gust of dry air expected to come through Darwin Saturday afternoon – but more wet weather is set to hit the Top End this month.

“The wet weather is a result of a build up in humidity across the Top End,” he said.

“After a few days of build up we see it break into rain.”

I know I’m new to #Darwin, but I thought wet season started in November … 🧐 #LaNina#weatherpic.twitter.com/16kh0mkcQl

— Nicola Gage (@Nicola_Gage) September 2, 2022

Mr Lynch said rain was recorded in most places north of Katherine and a few storms hit over Kakadu National Park.

Howard Springs recorded the highest rainfall in the Top End of 43mm followed by Berrimah which tracked 14mm.

“This is an indication that the dry season is running towards the end,” Mr Lynch said.

“September is always a bit of a transition month. We often get a little bit of dry season weather and a bit of wet season weather.”

Territorians who jumped onto the Bureau of Meteorology to check the weekend forecast may have noticed something missing, the weather radar.

Mr Lynch said the site’s main Darwin radar was receiving a major face lift.

#AliceSprings has added to their total of sub-zero minimums this morning taking the total to 24 for the "northern Dry Season", compared with the average of 12! Still short of the biggest count of 53 nights below zero set in 1976. Check out the forecast at https://t.co/3VZPW2RBRRpic.twitter.com/4VxBwuhh2T

— Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory (@BOM_NT) August 27, 2022

“The systems is getting a complex upgrade, which does mean it will be out of action for eight to nine weeks,” he said.

“Thankfully we do have two radars for Darwin on the website, so we encourage all users to look for the Darwin Airport radar loop.”

The changed weather is nothing new to Alice Springs residents who have racked up a total of 24 days of sub-zero temperatures throughout the “northern dry season,” which included 15 consecutive freezing days in July.

However, the Red Centre still fell short of the record of 53 days below zero set in 1976.

Originally published as NT weather: Grab your brolly and rain jackets folks, the wet season is here