Severe thunderstorms struck much of WA's southwest last night leading to widespread local flooding. Perth was soaked by a massive 44mm, with 37.8mm falling in just 46 minutes- this was greater than a 1 in 100 year event and, the equivalent of 3 times the December monthly average rainfall in just 46 minutes! It was also Perth's wettest December daily rainfall total in 60 years!
Surrounding areas were also awash with heavy rainfall Mandurah 69mm (heaviest December rain on record), Serpentine 37mm, Rottnest Island 36, Perth Airport 35 and Swanbourne 30mm.
The worst affected region was the Great Southern district with a large number of towns recording their heaviest December rainfall on record including: Narrogin (84.4mm), Wishbone (81.6mm), Dumbleyung (71mm), Rushy Pool (70mm), Katanning (61.8mm) and many others.
Williams had the highest rainfall in this event with a massive 125.6mm- the highest rain total ever recorded anywhere in the South West Land Division in December! This resulted in widespread flooding leading to evacuations.
The low pressure system responsible for the heavy rain and severe thunderstorms is moving eastwards today so rain has already eased for the west coast. Since 9am this morning, another 20-40mm has already been recorded in parts of the Wheatbelt, Goldfields and Southeast Coastal districts. As the system reaches the SA border it is expected to weaken, bringing patchy light rain to that state.
Widespread cloud cover due to rain and storms will capped maximums today with temperatures as much 13 below average for this time of year. Newdegate and Narrogin reached just 16 and 17 degrees today, respectively.
Summer is typically very dry for Perth with the city averaging only 12.8mm during December. This year has been very unusual for Perth and much of south-western WA with the city already receiving 75.8mm- now just 5mm short of its wettest December on record! 2011 marks a huge turnaround in rainfall from December 2010 when Perth recorded only 3.4mm.
And, if you find yourself at an intersection that seems deserted, stop, roll down your windows and listen for the sounds of traffic coming your way. It's better to be safe, after all.
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