North Queensland has experienced varying summer rain records along the Flinders Highway from Mount Isa to Townsville, with Charters Towers receiving the majority.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) recorded a wet start to 2017 with majority of North Queensland experiencing scattered rain.
Charters Towers recorded the highest amount of rainfall receiving 84.2 millimetres, and recorded a highest daily of 35mm on January 5.
Townsville received the second highest recording 76.2mm with a highest daily of 35.4mm on January 4. Hughenden recorded 64.8mm and a highest daily of 48.8mm also on January 4.
Mount Isa recorded 53.3mm in town receiving a highest daily of 33.6mm on the first day of the year. Richmond recorded 32.8mm at the airport and had a highest daily of 17.4mm on January 5.
Julia Creek received 29.6mm and had a highest daily of 23mm on January 2. Cloncurry received the least with 20.6mm, the highest daily was 15.6mm on January 9.
Townsville BOM meteorologist Mario Torrisi said January had seen a mixture of rainfall in the order of scattered showers and thunderstorms.
“The heaviest totals have been over the last couple of days along the coast,” Mr Torrisi said.
“North West Queensland have had some good falls but only in pockets.
This year’s wet season has been much more active than last year’s. It was hit and miss last year but in 2016-17 we have been seeing more general activity.
- Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist, Mario Torrisi.
“This year’s wet season has been much more active than last year’s. It was hit and miss last year but in 2016-17 we have been seeing more general activity.
“Everywhere has received some form of rainfall, it’s just the amount that varies.”
Mr Torrisi said unsettled conditions were expected to continue later in the week with storms across North Queensland.
“Along the Flinders Highway, the start of the week will see mostly sunny conditions reaching 39 degrees in some areas,” he said.
“As the week continues unsettled scattered showers will hang around, with temperatures dropping to 34 to 35 degrees in most areas.”