Darwin records highest rainfall for September in almost 40 years
DARWIN has already experienced nearly five times the September monthly average rainfall in 2020, with nine days still remaining in the month.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
DARWIN has already experienced nearly five times the September monthly average rainfall in 2020, with nine days still remaining in the month.
The 77mm that has fallen across Darwin since Saturday, including 17.6mm yesterday morning, is the highest since 1981.
On average, 15.6mm of rain falls across Darwin in September.
Despite the early onset of rain, hot and humid conditions will continue in the Top End this week, with the chance of showers and thunderstorms bringing periods of cooler relief.
MORE RECENT WEATHER NEWS
Send ‘er down, Huey! Darwin wakes to the welcome sound of rain
BOM forecasts humid conditions for Top End, thunderstorms and rain for south over week ahead
A unique set of circumstances helped keep the storms recharging at the weekend, while typical build-up conditions result in a single burst of rain followed by days of inactivity.
But with the first 50mm of rain that falls in Northern Australia helping trigger grass growth, the weekend’s downpour was important for the pastoral sector.
Typically this amount, known as the Northern Rainfall Onset, falls in the Top End by late October or early November, spreading further south and inland over the following weeks.
LIMITED TIME: New NT News subscription offer: $1 a week for the first 12 weeks
The early onset means it will also likely hit the southern part of the NT sooner.
Most places across the Top End benefited from the weekend’s downpour, with Wagait Beach (10mm), Adelaide River (1.2mm) and Katherine (0.2mm) all hit by the rain.
Originally published as Darwin records highest rainfall for September in almost 40 years