> From the WeatherWatch archives
Victoria is in flood mode with some parts copping their biggest downpour in more than a century, and there’s much more to come, according to weatherzone.com.au.
“More than 100 millimetres has fallen in parts of the Mallee and Wimmera in the last day or so, four times the monthly average. And there’s potentially another 100mm to come,” Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutschke said.
Properties have been inundated and cars have been swept away.
One of the hardest hit areas in the last 24 hours has been just north of Horsham, where Jeparit was inundated with 160mm, their heaviest rain in 113 years of records.
Nearby, Rainbow recorded 130mm, their heaviest in 74 years of records. Both Horsham and Longerong had about 100mm each, both 50-year highs.
Further north, Mildura had its biggest rain in eight years and biggest January rain on record with 60mm.
“The rain and storms began on Sunday when a low pressure trough formed. Since then a huge amount of moisture has filtered in from the tropics to bring these heavy falls,” Dutschke said.
Annuello, between Mildura and Swan Hill has been the target of storms in each of the last three days with 170mm, its highest three-day total in 85 years of records.
Further east and south it’s been noticeably drier, but there’s still been flash flooding, including in Melbourne last night.
“The bulk of the most recent rain and thunder has slipped south to Tasmania, but another round of heavy rain and storms will develop tomorrow,” Dutschke said.
“Thursday could be even wetter than the last few days with the heaviest rain due in the Mallee and Wimmera, where another 50 to 100mm is likely. Some may get more than 100mm and lead to significant flooding.”
“Rain will be lighter towards the south and east. Melbourne, which gained 15mm overnight should get another 20 to 40mm between now and Friday night, when it dries up.”
“The weekend is looking generally dry and sunny.”
– Weatherzone.com.au
Before you add a new comment, take note this story was published on 12 Jan 2011.
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