Todd River trickles as rain brings cool change to Alice Springs and beyond

The Territory heartland has copped a drenching, bringing a cooler change to the region – and a trickle down an iconic river. Find out more.

Recent rain has brought a trickle down the Todd River at the Alice Springs Telegraph station. Picture: Gera Kazakov

The Todd River is trickling after a one day deluge in Alice Springs – which came nowhere near close to the amount of rain the Barkly got at the same time.

After slogging it through 100-plus days where the weather was 35C or higher, Alice Springs received 40mm of rain on Friday, which Bureau of Meteorology senior Meteorologist Billy Lynch said could signal the end of hot days in the town.

“I think (Alice Springs) has certainly seen the worst of summer,” he said.

Recent rain has brought a trickle down the Todd River at the Alice Springs Telegraph station. March 24, 2025. Picture: Gera Kazakov

While Mr Lynch “couldn’t rule out” Alice Springs getting an odd day above 35C in March, he said current forecasts had the town copping a much needed cool change.

Friday’s rain brought a trickle down the Todd River, however Mr Lunch said only light rain was forecast for the next few days – making a strong flow unlikely.

On Monday, there was a slight trickle on the Todd at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

However, downstream a trickle was not oberserved at the Undooyla Rd crossing near Anzac Hill.

A car crosses the Todd River at Undooyla Rd, Alice Springs, December 7, 2024, the last time the Todd River in Alice Springs flowed. Picture: Gera Kazakov

The Todd River last flowed in December last year after the town copped a week of afternoon storms.

Alice Springs could expect light drizzle for the week and cooler weather to accompany, Mr Lynch said, however the amount of rain pales in comparison to the drenching the Barkly got at the weekend.

Totals from the past three days included 153mm at Alexandria Downs (which got 112mm Monday morning alone), 68mm at Helen Springs, and 101mm at Indiana rain gauges, Mr Lynch said.

A flood watch for the region had been downgraded, Mr Lynch said, with rain due to ease in the region this week.

Originally published as Todd River trickles as rain brings cool change to Alice Springs and beyond