Parts of central and western NSW have experienced heavy downpours overnight, with more than a month’s worth of rain predicted to fall across the state by Sunday.
Senior BOM meteorologist Scott Williams said that isolated locations in western NSW could receive up to 100mm depending on thunderstorm activity.
“We are expecting between 30 and 50mm without thunderstorms over most areas west of the Divide,” he said.
Areas of the western Riverina have recorded solid falls already, including Booroorban, Wanganella and Hay, recording upwards of 40 millimetres in the past 24 hours.
A further 10-15 mm of rainfall is expected throughout the Riverina and Central West Slopes and Plains region tonight, with a strong chance of thunderstorms.
Louth in the far north-west of the state has had 40mm, and Narrabri recorded 14mm.
The Far North Coast village of Chillingham had 29mm of rain, while neighbouring Murwillumbah has recorded 31mm.
Wagga Wagga based Neil Durning, founder of Riverina Independent Agronomy says the rain comes as a relief to ‘moisture stressed’ farmers in the area.
Griffith agronomist Gus De Notta, from Terra Ag, said while the rain has caused a delay in picking operations, it shouldn’t cause permanent damage to crops.
“We had about an inch (25mm) here overnight, we had picked about 30 per cent of the common areas with good yield, and good quality. Now that may be put on hold for five or six days.”
“As long as theres no more showers next week we shouldn’t have problems,” he said.
The rain band is expected to ease by Sunday, with some showers to remain for the northern parts of the Southwest Slopes and the Central Tablelands.
