Just when we were getting used to beach days and summer weather, parts of New South Wales are about to be doused with some serious wet weather this week. Yes, we'd suggest you invest in a good umbrella and maybe even a raincoat.
What's going to happen?
A major weather event is unfolding as tropical moisture moves south and combines with a series of troughs bringing a heavy spell of rain across the state. According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), we’re in for some much-needed relief, with widespread showers and thunderstorms from Wednesday through to Friday. This rain will reduce the ongoing bushfire threat as we head toward Christmas.
This is easily the most significant rainfall NSW has experienced in three months, with some areas expected to get up to 50mm or more. For fire-prone areas, this could be a game-changer.
Which parts of NSW will get the worst of it?
The weather event will affect the northern inland, central coast, and Sydney. Sydney could see as much as 100mm of rain, which, for the uninitiated, is about a month’s worth in just a few days.
When is it going to happen?
The first signs of this wet weather appeared on Wednesday 10 December, with thunderstorms developing in the north and east of the state. As we move into Thursday and Friday, the rain will become much more widespread, and will continue to track offshore on Friday night, with another light band of showers hitting the southern and central parts of the state on Saturday.
What does this mean for bushfires?
After months of severe drought and dangerously low soil moisture, this rain will hopefully be a welcome break. It will help to reduce the fire danger, especially in regions like the Central West, Hunter, and Mid North Coast, where ongoing fires have been threatening to spread.
While the rain won’t completely put out the fires, it will slow their progression and make them easier to manage. The increased moisture in the soil and vegetation will help lower the intensity of blazes, making them more controllable.
What’s next after the rain?
Unfortunately, while the rain this week will help lower the immediate fire risk, there’s no clear sign that we’ll continue to see above-average rainfall over the next few weeks.
Long-term forecasts show that hot, dry conditions could return by next week, bringing a renewed fire threat as we head into peak summer temperatures in January.
Still, in the short-term, NSW can breathe a little easier. The rain may not signal the end of the fire season, but it’s certainly a welcome relief as Christmas approaches.
