Rain Middleton welcomes Darwin downpour, start of 2023 wet season

The wet season has made an entrance in the Top End, with one rain-loving family thrilled to embrace the weather.

Outstretched hands cupped fresh rainwater as the first downpour of the wet season drenched Darwin.

Rain Middleton was one of many thrilled to welcome the wet weather back to the Top End.

Holding a Bunnings umbrella to the sky, the nine-year-old boy cheered for the morning’s rain and walked through puddles in the driveway.

Nakara resident Rain Middleton plays in the rain during the first Darwin downpour of the 2023 wet season. Picture: Sunshine Middleton

Mum Sunshine said the rain only lasted about five minutes.

“He wished to play in the mud with all the wetness from the rain, as he had that before,” Ms Middleton said.

“All kids love rain I think, as they can play and run wild.”

Ngoc Pham holds an umbrella after the first rain of the wet season drenched Darwin overnight. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Channel Point recorded the most rain in the NT since 9am Thursday with 25mm in more than four hours.

The Daly region as a whole recorded 40.4mm.

The remainder of the NT recorded just 0.6mm combined.

Bureau senior climatologist Brad Jackson said Territorians could still expect a delayed start to the wet season due to El Nino weather events, but a spattering of rain here and there would not be unheard of in coming weeks.

“In terms of the strength of the wet season, it’s going to be very interesting to see,” he said.

Mr Jackson said to expect “above average night-time temperatures” going forward, as well as below average rainfall for the time being.

“The chances of the fire season extending into November and December will be reasonably high,” he said.

“Therefore, some of those bushfire conditions are likely to hang around a bit longer.”