What is an east coast low? Updated about 2 hours agoFri 7 Feb 2020, 10:29pm Take heed New South Wales — an east coast low could be headed your way.
They are not ordinary storms. Key points: The BOM has added a potential east coast low to the wild weather forecast for this weekend East coast lows in the past have caused significant damage to the New South Wales coast Even if an east coast low doesn't develop, flooding, coastal inundation and strong winds are still expected BOM meteorologist Jane Golding confirmed on Friday afternoon that there was a chance of one of these destructive systems developing over the weekend.
"What we have seen over the last 24 hours is an intense coastal trough develop off the north New South Wales coast," she said. "What we are broadly expecting over the next couple of days is this coastal trough to hang around and to keep delivering this widespread, prolonged steady rainfall, with a possible east coast low development as we move into the weekend. " Storm season's arrival on NSW mid-north coast sees 'mini cyclone' crash through Port Macquarie suburbs.
Updated earlier today at 5:50amTue 4 Feb 2020, 5:50am A short, violent storm in on the New South Wales mid-north coast has damaged more than 50 homes, with the roof completely ripped off one of them.
Key points: The storm has left oyster growers on the Hastings River assessing damage with one grower saying at least 20,000 oysters were unaccounted forThose damaged in the violent storm are racing to secure damaged roofs damaged ahead of more rain predicted for later in the weekA very slow moving high pressure system developing over the Tasman Sea could enhance rainfall in some areas Emergency services received some 50 calls for help around Port Macquarie's Settlement Point and North Shore areas after what was described as a "mini cyclone".
The damage to Isabelle Poole's home in Settlement Point was by far the worst. "It started flooding, the water was hitting the sliding doors, then it's just pouring through the house upstairs and downstairs … and then after that the roof came off," she said. Port Lincoln to truck in sand after '140 Olympic swimming pools' of rain falls on city.
Updated earlier today at 7:31amTue 4 Feb 2020, 7:31am Port Lincoln is mopping up the aftermath of last week's deluge that flooded the regional South Australian city, with the damage bill expected to soar in the coming months.
Key points: A one-hour downpour dumped more than 100mm of rain in some areas of Port Lincoln last FridayThe Council will truck out foreshore sand soiled by the floodwaters and replace it with clean sand from another local siteThe damage and clean-up bill may reach into the tens of millions of dollars Floodwaters carried away cars, devastated houses and shut down businesses after a sudden heavy downpour on Friday afternoon that lasted about an hour.
Rainfall measurements varied across the region. Perth weather records hottest February day since 1997 as heat soars past 40 degrees. Posted earlier today at 10:08amTue 4 Feb 2020, 10:08am Perth has sweltered through its hottest day in five years and the hottest February day in 23 years, with temperatures in the city peaking at 42.7 degrees Celsius just after 3:00pm.
Key points: A heat trough and easterly winds combined for a sweltering day in PerthThe heat will continue overnight, with temperatures only dropping to 25CIt comes as the third cyclone of the season builds off WA's north coast It is the highest February maximum since 44.5C was recorded on February 26, 1997, and the overall highest maximum since 44.4C was reached on January 5, 2015. Revised weather messaging aims to prevent repeat of 2019 mass cattle deaths in Qld monsoon.
Posted 44 minutes agoSat 1 Feb 2020, 11:51pm Almost a year to the day after flooding in north-west Queensland killed more than 500,000 head of cattle, the monsoonal rain was forecast again.
Key points: North-west Queensland's 2019 monsoon was one of the biggest on record, bringing a cold snap and widespread stock lossesSince then, the Bureau of Meteorology has been revising its warning system to better tailor it to graziersThe BOM is looking to weather events from 2019 to adapt its alerts Summer flooding is a regular event in the area and many graziers rely on it to sustain their businesses for the rest of the year. But the 2019 monsoon was one of the biggest and most unusual on record and if the cattle survived the raging torrents, they died from a cold snap that coincided with the rain. Megan Munchenberg from the Northern Australia Climate Program has been collecting feedback from the livestock industry on the warnings the Bureau of Meteorology put out during 2019's summer rain. Latest monsoon onset for Darwin on record is now a certainty despite recent rain. Posted yesterday at 9:29amTue 28 Jan 2020, 9:29am The deadline for the latest monsoon onset on record has come and gone and there is still no official monsoon for Darwin.
It is a bit of a big deal as Darwin would usually expect the monsoon onset around Christmas. The records go back to the 1950s and the previous record for the latest-occurring monsoon was for January 25, back in 1973. But the lack of an official monsoon onset hasn't stopped the rain, with big totals falling in Australia's tropical north over the last few weeks. 435 people died in an 1896 heatwave — but scientists say the extreme heat events of today are still hotter. Posted 20 Dec 2019, 8:06pmFri 20 Dec 2019, 8:06pm In the late 19th century, Australia was struck by a heatwave so intense that 435 people were killed and hundreds more were sent fleeing for their lives.
Key points: Bourke, NSW, is recorded as hitting 48.9C three times in 1896, with a maximum temperature of 38C for over three weeks straightBut climate scientists say the methods used to record temperature in 1896 were flawed and heatwaves today are hotterThey say the high death toll in 1896 was due to the community being more vulnerable to heat events The 1895-1896 heatwave during the Federation Drought holds the record as Australia's deadliest heatwave, closely followed by 2009, which recorded at least 432 heat-related deaths.
The town of Bourke lost at least 40 people — 1.6 per cent of its population — during the 1896 event, while Sydney authorities reported hospitals at breaking point and pedestrians collapsing in the streets. Do fans make any difference in a heatwave? Posted 20 Dec 2019, 2:30amFri 20 Dec 2019, 2:30am It's hot.
Scorching hot. You're sweating it out through one of the most significant heatwaves in Australia's recorded history with nothing but a fan. Not having the comfort of an air-conditioned home or office might sound like a nightmare for some, but for others, there's no other option. So when temperatures are sweltering and you have nothing but a ceiling fan or a trusty pedestal, can they really cool you down? Do fans really help? Yes, but they work better in some types of heat compared to others.
Ollie Jay, an associate professor in thermoregulatory physiology from the University of Sydney's Faculty of Medicine and Health, said fans can be extremely beneficial in heatwaves, especially when you know what kind of heat you're dealing with. Wet-season storms drop 'best rain in years' across Territory cattle country - ABC Rural - ABC News. Wet-season storms have delivered much-needed rain across Northern Territory cattle country, with drought-affected Barkly producers among those to benefit from the downpour.
Three-day totals exceeding 100 millimetres have been recorded across parts of the Top End, with more rain expected in the coming days. For Rod Dunbar at Nutwood Downs Station, 500 kilometres south-east of Darwin, the rain couldn't have arrived sooner. Climate drivers align to give average chance of rain – which at least is better than what it's been. Posted yesterday at 8:13pmWed 22 Jan 2020, 8:13pm Just days after some of the worst bushfires ever seen in Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology tweeted on January 8 that a climate driver called the Indian Ocean Dipole had returned to neutral.
Around the same time, another climate driver, the Southern Annular Mode, returned to neutral as well. BOM tells Dubbo to expect rain, but massive dust storm sweeps through NSW instead - Rural News - ABC News. Residents of western New South Wales hoping for rain after a promising forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) were instead hit by a fast-moving dust storm that blocked out the sun. Dust storm key points Key points: A major dust storm struck western NSW towns including Broken Hill, Dubbo, Nyngan and ParkesWind gusts peaked at 107 kilometres per hour as the wall of dust swept throughResidents were left in complete darkness and some towns were left without power for hours. Melbourne suburbs struck by damaging hail and wind with more storms on the way. Updated 23 minutes agoMon 20 Jan 2020, 2:57am Heavy rain is on its way to Melbourne, possibly bringing more hail, as eastern suburbs recover from flash flooding and golf ball-sized hail that destroyed skylights and roofs.
Key points: Melbourne's eastern suburbs received 26mm of rain overnight and were struck by large hailstonesFurther rain is the "main risk" today, the bureau warns, but more hail is a possibilityThe fire danger is predicted to rise on Wednesday when northerly winds increase across most of Victoria State Emergency Services duty officer Gerry Sheridan told the ABC this morning that the SES received 1,500 callouts in the past 24 hours, with about 1,200 coming from metropolitan Melbourne. Eastern suburbs including Glen Iris, Malvern, Warrandyte and Templestowe were hit the hardest, with Malvern SES volunteers receiving more than 450 calls for assistance in just two hours last night. Flash flooding on Gold Coast and Brisbane sparks calls for help as storms sweep Queensland. Updated 28 minutes agoSat 18 Jan 2020, 1:22am Dangerous storms described as a one-in-100-year event have swept through South-East Queensland overnight and into the morning, dumping heavy rain and causing flash flooding in parts of Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Flash flooding has closed the Pacific Motorway from Coomera to Oxenford on the Gold CoastThere were about 160 calls to the SES across the state's south-eastMore showers and thunderstorms are expected over the next few days, the BOM says The SES has responded to more than 100 callouts on the Gold Coast alone, and another 60 between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Police have reported localised flash flooding in Chelmer, Kenmore Hills, Birkdale and Helensvale. The Pacific Motorway has been closed in both directions between Coomera and Oxenford. Movie World and Wet 'n' Wild water park at Oxenford are both closed for the day, with both heavily impacted by flash flooding and cut off by the highway closure.
Rain offers drought and bushfire relief to the delight of many across New South Wales and Queensland. Updated about an hour agoFri 17 Jan 2020, 12:57pm People in Queensland and New South Wales have enthusiastically celebrated the return of rainfall to their towns and cities, dancing and jumping as rain fell on regions hit by drought and bushfires. More than 100 millimetres of rain fell across parts of drought-stricken Queensland on Friday, with children filmed celebrating the rainfall and dogs shown dashing through puddles in Quilpie, while station workers jumped for joy in the mud as rain fell in Meandarra. Bowenville farmer Kim Bremner said although some in his area had not received a lot of rain, there may be enough to stop people carting water for a while. "It's really been a godsend at this time of the year," Mr Bremner said. Girl buried in Pakistan avalanche found alive after 18 hours under the snow.
Posted about 4 hours agoThu 16 Jan 2020, 12:27am A 12-year-old girl was found alive after being buried for 18 hours when an avalanche in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir engulfed the family house. Key points: Samina Bibi said she thought she was going to dieSamina's mother, Shahnaz Bibi, lost a son and another daughter in the avalanchePakistan's National Disaster Management Authority said the death toll had jumped to 100 Samina Bibi recalled screaming and shouting for help as she lay trapped in a room under the snow.
Severe storms forecast for much of Queensland as rain welcomed in drought-affected regions. Updated about an hour agoThu 16 Jan 2020, 3:35am Severe thunderstorms are forecast for large parts of Queensland's central interior from the coast to the outback as many regions which had been struggling through drought conditions now receiving drenching rain and some flooding. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned that severe storms are likely today for a broad strip from the central coast down to the south central districts of the state. Saudi Arabia's north-west desert covered in snow after unusual winter storm. BOM warns of flash flooding as rain brings bushfire relief across NSW. Updated 27 minutes agoThu 16 Jan 2020, 12:38am Rain falling across NSW is offering some relief for fire crews battling blazes, but there are concerns the wet weather could cause landslides, flash flooding and contaminate water.
We have already had countless bushfire inquiries. What good will it do to have another? Analysis Posted about 4 hours agoWed 15 Jan 2020, 8:30pm As our country battles the most extensive fires of our lifetime, there are increasing calls for a royal commission into the states and territories' preparedness and the Federal Government's response to the disaster. Storm Brendan brings damaging winds and flooding to United Kingdom and Ireland. Posted about 11 hours agoTue 14 Jan 2020, 11:47am. Low tide leaves Venice's canals dry, just months after severe floods. Updated about 4 hours agoTue 14 Jan 2020, 3:40am. Stanthorpe's water officially runs out, trucks bring supplies from dam near Warwick. Updated about 9 hours agoMon 13 Jan 2020, 3:24pm. Bureau of Meteorology forecasts rain for Australia's firegrounds. Updated 17 minutes agoTue 14 Jan 2020, 1:37am. When NT rainfall records shattered across the Top End, one local community lapped it up.
Updated about 11 hours agoSun 12 Jan 2020, 3:02pm. Drastically changing rainfall patterns are reshaping WA's vast wheatbelt - ABC Rural - ABC News. Changing rainfall patterns are reshaping Western Australia's wheatbelt and pushing it toward the coast. Christmas Day sees rain in south-east Queensland and searing heat in the west. 'Severe to extreme' heatwave conditions to test firefighters working across south-east Australia. Desert turtle thriving in outback's boom or bust drought conditions. 435 people died in an 1896 heatwave — but scientists say the extreme heat events of today are still hotter. Do fans make any difference in a heatwave? As heatwave bakes Australia on land, an unprecedented marine heatwave causes fish kills in the ocean. NT temperatures set to soar into the 40s, as heatwave looms in Alice Springs.
Thriving in drought: How investing big in water saved the Brown family. Running on empty: The farm hit by a new disaster every year. Best snowfall in years expected on WA's highest peaks this weekend. Arctic Circle burns as heatwaves plague Europe and the US. Snowfalls in Australia have a colourful history, we reminisce, as the south-east braces for a cold blast. Day zero approaches for Stanthorpe as locals face prospect of levy to cover cost of trucked-in water. Australia rejects Pacific criticism of emissions targets, carryover credits.
Dairy farmer makes one final plea for milk price to increase to $1.50 a litre or industry will not survive - ABC Rural - ABC News. Up to 115 migrants feared dead in 'worst Mediterranean tragedy' so far this year. Life in Queensland's Channel Country means you can have a huge flood without any rain - ABC Rural - ABC News. Drought reprieve as rain fills dams and turns dusty paddocks green, but more falls needed - ABC Rural - ABC News. Australians are eating more cheese, butter and yoghurt, and Timboon is milking the trend. Murray-Darling Basin in 'most severe' two-to-three year drought conditions in 120 years of records, BOM says. 'Flash droughts' strike fast and hard, and researchers are still racing to identify them before they happen. Five things I learnt covering Australia's drought crisis this week. 'Rainbow cloud' spotted over Tasmania actually snap of 'rare' cloud iridescence.
Gippsland farmers are struggling through a green drought and say outsiders 'don't understand' Queensland shivers through coldest morning of the year. What is a cold front and why does it do so much damage? Farmers rely on faith, children and 'skipping' pigs to stay smiling throughout the drought - ABC Rural - ABC News. Snow has been falling in Western Australia since records began. RSPCA worried about welfare of horses due to 'unprecedented' feed shortage - ABC Rural - ABC News. Laverton's nocturnal cow problem and the two men who took matters into their own hands.
Drought eats into Australia's agri-accounts as we import grain, deal with 25-year low cattle herds and spiralling water costs - Politics. Glimmer of hope for some NSW farmers as agricultural production plummets - ABC Rural - ABC News. Aboriginal rangers join team of CSIRO scientists to monitor atmospheric changes in the tropics. Mangrove tree on cattle property carbon dated as more than 700 years old. 'Community unrest' in Wilcannia amid concerns $30m weir pledged by governments won't go ahead. From natural disaster comes art — creatives face fire, flood and drought trauma head-on. Crochet obsessive's temperature blanket a year-long labour of love.
Dingoes' diet options are widening as food and water becomes scarce, new research finds. Australia's cotton production halved as drought and low to no water allocation takes its toll - ABC Rural - ABC News. New dams and pipelines 'urgently needed', says local government, as NSW water supplies run drastically low - ABC Rural - ABC News. Fears for future of Menindee's birds as drought continues. More than 40 dead sawfish on Gina Rinehart's cattle station fuels concern about water plan. How to save water at home during water restrictions and beyond.
A positive Indian Ocean Dipole this winter is bad news for drought-hit parts of Australia. Australia approves foreign grain imports for the first time in over a decade - ABC Rural - ABC News. Swapping homegrown food and cultivating a community at fresh produce markets. 'Tipping point' may be imminent for some Murray-Darling Basin rivers, experts warn. Australia's livestock feed supplies in precarious position due to drought - ABC Rural - ABC News.
Water restrictions loom for Sydney as drought continues to impact on dam levels. The Darling of Menindee. 24 hours of rain offers some NSW farmers much-needed drought relief. Droughts influenced by humans for better and worse with aerosols and greenhouse gas emissions, study shows. Wildlife shelters inundated, as drought pushes native animals into urban areas in search of food and water. Rain in south-eastern Australia will help cropping but much more needed to break drought. Darwin's rural area could run out of water after driest wet season in decades. Land clearing laws to be bolstered if Labor wins government, so what do Queensland graziers think? - ABC Rural - ABC News. Perth homes damaged, power cut as severe cold front tears across south-west WA. Want weather forecasts more than 15 days away? Not possible, say researchers. Good Friday cold blast in Albany brings April snow to WA for first time in 49 years.
Good Friday weather for WA to deliver the biggest swell of the year for surfers. Northern Rivers gauges the long-lasting effects from its unusually bone-dry summer - Curious North Coast NSW. Mass fish kill in eastern Victoria due to salinity and other natural causes, authorities say. Cheap and portable filter innovation makes wastewater safe to drink, QUT scientist says. Australia swelters through the warmest March on record. BOM watching low north of Australia, as NT comes to grips with Cyclone Trevor's damage bill.
Social media challenge for farmers brings hope amid devastating floods - ABC Rural - ABC News. Notorious weather blackspot in north-west Queensland gets green light for four new BOM radars. NSW cotton farmer Anthony Barlow fined $190,000 for breaching Water Management Act. Publican of flood-affected Julia Creek gives back to the community with free beer during tough times. Katherine Gorge up in smoke as Top End burning season starts early - ABC Rural - ABC News. South-east Queensland's severe storms ease after 'a risk to life' threat, bureau says. Vanished wet season of 1952 has eerie similarities to NT's current dry spell. Drought, heat and floods blamed for limited fresh produce supply on supermarket shelves - ABC Rural - ABC News.
Wattle seed growers struggle to keep up with rising demand for nutrient-rich native bushfood - ABC Rural - ABC News. State of the drought shows dams empty and NSW drowning in dust.