Sydney gradually clearing after 16-day deluge
The numbers tell the tale. Sydney just had 617.4 mm in 16 days. That's within a whisker of Melbourne's annual average rainfall in just over two weeks.
As we've reported over the past two weeks, there were locations in both NSW and Qld that exceeded Sydney's 16-day rainfall total over a much shorter period.
- For example, the tiny village of Dunoon, near Lismore, had 775 mm in the 24 hours to 9 am on February 28, which helps explain why Lismore's flooding was so severe.
- Meanwhile Brisbane had 676.8 mm in just three days up until Feb 28 – a record three-day fall for the city.
So while other locations copped heavier rain than Sydney overall, and often in a much shorter time frame, the relentless rain in Sydney was still noteworthy.
Every day for 16 days straight, Australia's largest and most populous city experienced heavy rain at some point, with treacherous conditions in locations across the city.
A stationary band of heavy rain inundated Sydney's #NorthernBeaches this afternoon, causing dangerous flash flooding in a number of suburbs. âš ï¸ This was the scene on Pittwater Road at Dee Why as water inundated the road.
— Weatherzone (@weatherzone) March 8, 2022
Video by: @slingsrat / IG#Flood #Sydney #DeeWhy pic.twitter.com/T1xEDtxJ46
Indeed, Sydney had never previously recorded 16 days in a row with 8 mm or more of rainfall.
It all combined to make this Sydney's wettest start to a year on record (with records going back to 1858).
The good news is that the sun is peeping out as we write this story around 3 pm on Wednesday afternoon, and while there's not expected to be too much sun in the coming week or so, the worst of the weather should ease off in Sydney and elsewhere along the east coast.
An onshore flow will funnel winds eastwards from the Tasman Sea , so there's still the very strong likelihood of showers along the east coast and nearby ranges until at least the middle of next week.
But with luck, there'll be nothing too heavy, meaning river levels should drop and floodwaters should start to dissipate. You might even get the chance to hang out a load or two of overdue washing.