Brisbane saw drenching rain in the second half of 2010, leading to an annual total of 1659mm and the wettest year since 1974.

The high rainfall totals were a result of the current La Nina pattern, which began to ramp up from October of 2010. During a La Nina pattern the easterly trade winds strengthen over the Pacific, directing high amounts of moisture over eastern Australia.

This year, the sea surface temperatures over the Coral Sea were also higher than average, supplying more moisture to the dominant easterly winds that then fed into Queensland.

In December alone, Brisbane had received 480mm, making it one of the wettest months on record. As a result of the cloud and rain, the maximum temperatures averaged 28 degrees in the month, which is nearly two degrees below average.

Overall, the maximum temperature in 2010 averaged 25.8 degrees, which is around a degree below the long term norm of 26.6 degrees. Overnight temperatures remained slightly above the average of 16.2 degrees due to the increased cloud cover.

For 2011, rainfall totals are expected to remain above average during the remainder of summer, but from March conditions should tend closer to average.