2021 rainfall: NSW measures best rain as records tumble

Parts of the nation recorded one of their wettest years ever in 2021 — while others struggled. See who is best set up for 2022.

Parts of NSW have roared out of drought and into the record books after posting one of their wettest years ever during 2021.

As farmers in some regions continue to mop up after floods in November that caused widespread damage on the point of a potential bumper grains harvest, preliminary data from the Bureau of Meteorology points to 2021 being named among Australia’s wettest.

Of the more than 200 weather stations monitored by The Weekly Times, more than two thirds recorded a wetter-than-average year with almost a quarter recording 50 per cent more rain than they would normally expect.

Grain Growers Limited chairman Brett Hosking said despite challenges with flooding and frosts this year, farmers were celebrating “one of the best seasons we’ve had up and down the east coast” in years. “It has been a long while since everyone has enjoyed a year like that,” Mr Hosking said.

According to the BOM, November was the nation’s wettest ever with rainfall 124 per cent above average for the country as a whole. March in NSW was the second-wettest on record.

Compared to long-term averages, the best falls of 2021 were in centralwest NSW with Forbes recording 1052mm during 2021 — or 213 per cent of its average.

Residents of Forbes were forced to evacuate in November when the Lachlan River broke its banks.

The town was one of the worst affected by the NSW drought last decade — measuring just 236mm in 2019. In 2020 it recorded 794mm and in 2019.

Other NSW centres to record a significantly wetter-than-average year during 2021 included Braidwood, which measured 1255mm or 197 per cent of its annual average, Condobolin (789mm or 196 per cent), West Wyalong (836mm or 187 per cent), Bega (1173mm or 183 per cent), Gunnedah (990mm or 182 per cent) and Walgett (750mm or 181 per cent).

In Queensland, the best falls were in the south of the state with Texas measuring 1143mm (or 175 per cent of its average), Miles 918mm (174 per cent), Warwick 1094mm (159 per cent) and Applethorpe

Omeo, in the Victorian high country, topped that state’s charts with 960mm (150 per cent of its average) ahead of Bairnsdale (934mm or 147 per cent), Gelantipy (1115mm or 144 per cent), Gabo Island (1320mm or 141 per cent) and Yarrawonga (622mm or 135 per cent) while the best falls in Western Australia were at Carnarvon (420mm or 191 per cent), Cunderin (432mm or 144 per cent), Albany (1130mm or 142 per cent) and Morowa (386mm or 137 per cent).

The best falls in South Australia were at Nullarbor which recorded 304mm for the year (121 per cent of its average) and Strathalbyn (475mm or 114 per cent).

The driest centres nationally included Broome in Western Australia whose 338mm equalled just 54 per cent of its average total, Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory (279mm or 60 per cent), the South Australian towns of Karoonda (210mm or 62 per cent), Morgan (172mm or 64 per cent) and Renmark (161mm or 69 per cent) and Edenhope (438mm or 71 per cent) and Swan Hill (214mm or 71 per cent) in Victoria.

2021 RAINFALL AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE AVERAGE

1. Forbes, NSW — 1052mm (213 per cent)

2. Braidwood, NSW — 1255mm (197 per cent)

3. Condobolin, NSW — 789mm (196 per cent)

4. Carnarvon, WA — 420mm (191 per cent)

5. West Wyalong, NSW — 836mm (187 per cent)

6. Bega, NSW — 1173mm (183 per cent)

7. Gunnedah, NSW — 990mm (182 per cent)

8. Walgett, NSW — 750mm (181 per cent)

9. Mt Hope, NSW — 690mm (180 per cent)

10. Texas, QLD — 1143mm (175 per cent)

11. Miles, QLD — 918mm (174 per cent)

12. Goulburn, NSW — 944mm (174 per cent)

13. Bombala, NSW — 942mm (170 per cent)

14. Taree, NSW — 1863mm (168 per cent)

15. Ivanhoe, NSW — 390mm (168 per cent)

16. Dubbo, NSW — 924mm (167 per cent)

17. Bourke, NSW — 497mm (167 per cent)

18. Tibooburra, NSW — 303mm (166 per cent)

19. Hillston, NSW — 613mm (166 per cent)

20. Scone, NSW — 981mm (166 per cent)

21. Orange, NSW — 1471mm (164 per cent)

22. Glen Innes, NSW — 1423mm (164 per cent)

23. Coonabarabran, NSW — 1085mm (163 per cent)

24. Narrabri, NSW — 896mm (162 per cent)

25. Inverell, NSW — 1253mm (162 per cent)

26. Grenfell, NSW — 997mm (161 per cent)

27. Cooma, NSW — 847mm (160 per cent)

28. Lake Cargelligo, NSW — 668mm (160 per cent)

29. Young, NSW — 954mm (160 per cent)

30. Trangie, NSW — 784mm (159 per cent)

31. Warwick, QLD — 1094mm (159 per cent)

32. Moree, NSW — 884mm (157 per cent)

33. Cootamundra, NSW — 917mm (157 per cent)

34. Canberra, ACT — 916mm (157 per cent)

35. Warialda, NSW — 1066mm (156 per cent)

36. Moss Vale, NSW — 1061mm (156 per cent)

37. Applethorpe, QLD — 1164mm (156 per cent)

38. Coonamble, NSW — 805mm (155 per cent)

39. Murrurundi, NSW — 1282mm (154 per cent)

40. Cowra, NSW — 973mm (153 per cent)

41. Barraba, NSW — 1046mm (152 per cent)

42. Armidale, NSW — 1126mm (151 per cent)

43. Tamworth, NSW — 930mm (151 per cent)

44. Omeo, VIC — 960mm (150 per cent)

45. Mungindi, NSW — 755mm (150 per cent)

46. Brisbane, QLD — 1537mm (150 per cent)

47. Peak Hill, NSW — 835mm (149 per cent)

48. Bathurst, NSW — 901mm (149 per cent)

49. Temora, NSW — 776mm (148 per cent)

50. Cobar, NSW — 492mm (148 per cent)

51. Taralga, NSW — 1184mm (148 per cent)

52. Dalby, QLD — 866mm (147 per cent)

53. Nowra, NSW — 1280mm (147 per cent)

54. Bairnsdale, VIC — 934mm (147 per cent)

55. Narrandera, NSW — 628mm (146 per cent)

56. Merriwa, NSW — 908mm (146 per cent)

57. Dunedoo, NSW — 886mm (146 per cent)

58. Grafton, NSW — 1430mm (145 per cent)

59. Pilliga, NSW — 801mm (145 per cent)

60. Woolbrook, NSW — 1113mm (145 per cent)

61. Cunderdin, WA — 432mm (144 per cent)

62. Gelantipy, VIC — 1115mm (144 per cent)

63. Stanthorpe, QLD — 1092mm (143 per cent)

64. Alice Springs, NT — 403mm (143 per cent)

65. Albany, WA — 1130mm (142 per cent)

66. Tenterfield, NSW — 1195mm (142 per cent)

67. Gabo Island, VIC — 1320mm (141 per cent)

68. Casino, NSW — 1434mm (139 per cent)

69. Parkes, NSW — 857mm (138 per cent)

70. Toowoomba, QLD — 960mm (137 per cent)

71. Morowa, WA — 386mm (137 per cent)

72. Albury, NSW — 818mm (135 per cent)

73. Yarrawonga, VIC — 622mm (135 per cent)

74. Deniliquin, NSW — 482mm (135 per cent)

75. Guyra, NSW — 1200mm (134 per cent)

76. Wagga Wagga, NSW — 763mm (134 per cent)

77. Sale, VIC — 786mm (133 per cent)

78. Mitchell, QLD — 756mm (133 per cent)

79. Mudgee, NSW — 854mm (131 per cent)

80. Tumbarumba, NSW — 1273mm (131 per cent)

81. Wellington, NSW — 789mm (129 per cent)

82. Lismore, NSW — 1495mm (129 per cent)

83. Griffith, NSW — 508mm (129 per cent)

84. Roma, QLD — 720mm (128 per cent)

85. Cape Grim, TAS — 1005mm (126 per cent)

86. Cairns, QLD — 2485mm (125 per cent)

87. Charleville, QLD — 606mm (125 per cent)

88. White Cliffs, NSW — 306mm (123 per cent)

89. Dorrigo, NSW — 2267mm (121 per cent)

90. Bendigo, VIC — 611mm (121 per cent)

91. Halls Creek, WA — 691mm (121 per cent)

92. Nullarbor, SA — 304mm (121 per cent)

93. Maitland, NSW — 986mm (120 per cent)

94. Gatton, QLD — 920mm (120 per cent)

95. Katanning, WA — 533mm (120 per cent)

96. Kalgoorlie, WA — 317mm (120 per cent)

97. King Island, TAS — 1015mm (119 per cent)

98. Lithgow, NSW — 1021mm (119 per cent)

99. Wilcannia, NSW — 309mm (118 per cent)

100. Stawell, VIC — 550mm (117 per cent)

101. Weipa, QLD — 2233mm (117 per cent)

102. Taroom, QLD — 780mm (117 per cent)

103. Narrogin, WA — 574mm (117 per cent)

104. Hobart, TAS — 570mm (116 per cent)

105. Avalon, VIC — 526mm (116 per cent)

106. Menindee, NSW — 281mm (116 per cent)

107. Busselton, WA — 787mm (116 per cent)

108. Latrobe Valley, VIC — 847mm (116 per cent)

109. Newdegate, WA — 421mm (115 per cent)

110. Strathalbyn, SA — 475mm (114 per cent)

111. Yarram, VIC — 827mm (114 per cent)

112. Rutherglen, VIC — 657mm (113 per cent)

113. Perth, WA — 854mm (113 per cent)

114. Fitzroy Crossing, WA — 761mm (113 per cent)

115. Charters Towers, QLD — 723mm (113 per cent)

116. Portland, VIC — 941mm (112 per cent)

117. Warrnambool, VIC — 808mm (111 per cent)

118. Sheffield, TAS — 1125mm (111 per cent)

119. Wongan Hills, WA — 428mm (111 per cent)

120. Winton, QLD — 406mm (110 per cent)

121. Mortlake, VIC — 635mm (110 per cent)

122. St George, QLD — 505mm (110 per cent)

123. Meningie, SA — 514mm (110 per cent)

124. Cunnamulla, QLD — 409mm (110 per cent)

125. Blackall, QLD — 518mm (110 per cent)

126. Geelong, VIC — 572mm (109 per cent)

127. Westmere, VIC — 635mm (109 per cent)

128. Ouse, TAS — 570mm (109 per cent)

129. Ballarat, VIC — 745mm (108 per cent)

130. Wangaratta, VIC — 648mm (107 per cent)

131. Surat, QLD — 611mm (107 per cent)

132. Normanton, QLD — 842mm (107 per cent)

133. Sydney, NSW — 1290mm (106 per cent)

134. Thargomindah, QLD — 281mm (106 per cent)

135. Curtin Springs, NT — 250mm (105 per cent)

136. Tocumwal, NSW — 471mm (105 per cent)

137. Melbourne, VIC — 683mm (105 per cent)

138. Ceduna, SA — 307mm (105 per cent)

139. Merredin, WA — 340mm (104 per cent)

140. Darwin, NT — 1788mm (104 per cent)

141. Mt Barker, SA — 786mm (103 per cent)

142. Geraldton, WA — 454mm (103 per cent)

143. Esperance, WA — 582mm (102 per cent)

144. Lake Eildon, VIC — 863mm (102 per cent)

145. Shepparton, VIC — 441mm (102 per cent)

146. Wycheproof, VIC — 383mm (102 per cent)

147. Redesdale, VIC — 585mm (101 per cent)

148. Ross, TAS — 495mm (101 per cent)

149. Murray Bridge, SA — 352mm (101 per cent)

150. Horsham, VIC — 367mm (101 per cent)

151. Tambo, QLD — 536mm (101 per cent)

152. Ararat, VIC — 586mm (100 per cent)

153. Cummins, SA — 422mm (100 per cent)

154. Balranald, NSW — 324mm (100 per cent)

155. Daly Waters, NT — 679mm (100 per cent)

156. Charlton, VIC — 420mm (100 per cent)

157. Karratha, WA — 294mm (99 per cent)

158. Eudunda, SA — 441mm (99 per cent)

159. Camooweal, QLD — 396mm (99 per cent)

160. Hughenden, QLD — 430mm (98 per cent)

161. Flinders Island, TAS — 724mm (98 per cent)

162. Benalla, VIC — 655mm (98 per cent)

163. Castlemaine, VIC — 571mm (97 per cent)

164. Mt Gambier, SA — 690mm (97 per cent)

165. Cressy, TAS — 572mm (96 per cent)

166. Port Augusta, SA — 202mm (96 per cent)

167. Launceston, TAS — 600mm (96 per cent)

168. Springsure, QLD — 657mm (95 per cent)

169. Casterton, VIC — 622mm (95 per cent)

170. Birdsville, QLD — 125mm (95 per cent)

171. Kingscote, SA — 421mm (95 per cent)

172. Echuca, VIC — 403mm (95 per cent)

173. Emerald, QLD — 514mm (95 per cent)

174. Warracknabeal, VIC — 368mm (95 per cent)

175. Leigh Creek, SA — 205mm (94 per cent)

176. Victoria River Downs, NT — 605mm (93 per cent)

177. Burketown, QLD — 723mm (93 per cent)

178. Cleve, SA — 327mm (93 per cent)

179. Bundaberg, QLD — 931mm (92 per cent)

180. Edithburgh, SA — 343mm (91 per cent)

181. Kingston SE, SA — 531mm (91 per cent)

182. Hamilton, VIC — 559mm (91 per cent)

183. Adelaide, SA — 397mm (91 per cent)

184. Bowen, QLD — 808mm (91 per cent)

185. Barcaldine, QLD — 452mm (90 per cent)

186. Monto, QLD — 663mm (90 per cent)

187. Hay, NSW — 330mm (90 per cent)

188. Rockhampton, QLD — 732mm (90 per cent)

189. Keith, SA — 409mm (89 per cent)

190. Broken Hill, NSW — 219mm (88 per cent)

191. Hopetoun, VIC — 256mm (88 per cent)

192. Norseman, WA — 252mm (87 per cent)

193. Rolleston, QLD — 554mm (87 per cent)

194. Clare, SA — 472mm (87 per cent)

195. Nambour, QLD — 1489mm (87 per cent)

196. Naracoorte, SA — 421mm (87 per cent)

197. Longerenong, VIC — 348mm (84 per cent)

198. Nhill, VIC — 275mm (83 per cent)

199. Birchip, VIC — 290mm (82 per cent)

200. Coonawarra, SA — 445mm (79 per cent)

201. Julia Creek, QLD — 363mm (78 per cent)

202. Kerang, VIC — 289mm (78 per cent)

203. Mildura, VIC — 221mm (77 per cent)

204. Mt Isa, QLD — 352mm (76 per cent)

205. Kununurra, WA — 698mm (76 per cent)

206. Ouyen, VIC — 247mm (75 per cent)

207. Townsville, QLD — 850mm (75 per cent)

208. Lameroo, SA — 225mm (73 per cent)

209. Loxton, SA — 185mm (72 per cent)

210. Longreach, QLD — 312mm (72 per cent)

211. Swan Hill, VIC — 214mm (71 per cent)

212. Edenhope, VIC — 438mm (71 per cent)

213. Renmark, SA — 161mm (69 per cent)

214. Morgan, SA — 172mm (64 per cent)

215. Karoonda, SA — 210mm (62 per cent)

216. Tennant Creek, NT — 279mm (60 per cent)

217. Broome, WA — 338mm (54 per cent)