AN EAST coast low may form off the Hunter’s coastline as a low-pressure system pushes rainfall over the region’s drought-parched farmlands.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The NSW State Emergency Service is warning that heavy rain is possible in the Hunter on Thursday and Friday before it clears for Saturday.
“As it has been a long time since many areas have experienced substantial rain, gutters, downpipes and drains may be clogged with leaves and other debris,” the SES said. “It is important to clear this now.”
Forecasts show a greater than 90 per cent chance of rain on Thursday in Newcastle, Wallsend, Maitland, Cessnock, Raymond Terrace, Singleton, Muswellbrook and Scone.
Bureau of Meteorology forecasts show a greater than 90 per cent chance of rain on Thursday in Newcastle, Wallsend, Maitland, Cessnock, Raymond Terrace, Singleton, Muswellbrook and Scone.
Rain is expected to ease through inland parts of the region on Friday but intensify on the coast during those days.
If they arrive as predicted, the falls will be welcome in the parched agricultural parcels of the Upper Hunter.
Singleton recorded 20.8 millimetres in all of September, three millimetres less than Scone’s recorded rainfall during the same month.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Gabrielle Woodhouse said a low-pressure system in the western part of the state was driving the wet weather’s push east.
“It will definitely help out some farmers, but this one event isn’t going to break the drought our anything like that,” she said.
Beyond the next few days of rain, Ms Woodhouse said it was difficult to predict broader trends in the season, with no strong indicators on whether a wet or dry few months were ahead.
“Spring is unfortunately a notoriously hard time of year for predicting that kind of thing,” she said.
“That’s not to say it will be average, wet or dry, it’s just there’s no strong indication from the climate model.”
Matt Carr
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
