Widespread rain a welcome change for Tassie farmers

AFTER a very dry start to the year, Tasmania has experienced a dramatic change in weather, with Hobart already seeing a wetter than average July, BOM weather reports say.

The significant rainfall will come as a welcome change for many farmers after the autumn’s unseasonably dry conditions.

The BOM recorded the average July rainfall in Hobart as 52.5 mm and with the total rainfall for this month currently sitting at 47.6 mm, today’s rainfall has already pushed records above July’s monthly average.

The BOM’s latest update highlights the substantial weather event that has brought rain to Tasmania.

Rainfall totals in the southeastern and lower eastern parts of the state in the last 24 hours include:

- Nugent: 59 mm

- Huon: 56 mm

- North Boomerang: 52 mm

- Grove: 48 mm

- Mount Wellington: 42 mm

- Hobart: 32 mm

-Eaglehawk Neck 66 mm

On the East Coast:

Bicheno: 12 mm

Friendly Beaches: 23 mm

Maria Island: 17 mm

On the West Coast, Lake Margaret received 25 mm. 

Northern Tasmania experienced more modest rainfall, averaging around 1-2 mm.

BOM senior forecaster Matthew Thomas noted that rainfall is expected to continue across the state, increasing throughout the day as a low-pressure system moves north. 

He said a warm airmass moving across Tasmania overnight has ensured that snow and ice are not a concern. 

He also added that the system has brought strong winds to Tasmania, resulting in damaging gusts on the West Coast, King Island and parts of the Northern Ranges, with the Central Plateau copping strong winds that caused some power outages.

He said the heavy rainfall has led to rising river levels, with the Huon River approaching minor flood levels. 

Minor flooding has also been observed at St Pauls and Lewis Hill, and there are concerns for the South Esk and Macquarie Rivers in Eastern and Southern Tasmania.

Mr Thomas said while river levels are expected to rise across many catchments today, the rain is expected to ease into the evening. 

Photo by Christian Lue.