Heavy rains hit New South Wales, Australia
A broad band of rain and storms hit New South Wales, Australia on February 1 and 2, 2021.
The Bathurst region was drenched by nearly a month's worth of rain in about eight hours– up to 43.4 mm (1.7 inches) fell from 08:30 UTC (19:30 LT on Monday, February 1) to 17:00 UTC (04:00 LT on Tuesday), close to the long-term February average of 57.8 mm (2.3 inches).
There has been 54.2 mm (2 inches) of rain recorded for the month so far, with the additional 9.8 mm (0.4 inches) registered on February 1. The heavy rain came after Bathurst fell short in January.
Last month, the region only registered 36.2 mm (1.4 inches)– the long-term average for January is 68.3 mm (2.7 inches)– this despite there being more rainy days, nine, compared to the average of 7.5 days.
According to Weatherzone, 56.8 mm (2.2 inches) was recorded to February 2– there were 11 rain days in that period in 2020 and 2021.
The wettest February on record in Bathurst was recorded in 1971 with 235.5 mm (9.3 inches). Its wettest February 24-hour period is 101.1 mm (3.4 inches) registered in 1950.
Orange registered 69 mm (2.7 inches) in 24 hours to 09:00 LT on Tuesday, February 2 — close to its monthly average of 74 mm (2.9 inches). This already makes this February its wettest since 2014.
Image credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA, TW. Acquired 08:10 UTC on February 1, 2012
The line of thunderstorms was stretching between the Victorian and Queensland borders at one point, producing totals from 20 to 40 mm (0.8 – 1.6 inches) from Bombala to Brewarrina, Weatherzone's Ben Domensino noted.
Featured image credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA, TW. Acquired 08:10 UTC on February 1, 2012
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