Soaking Weekend Brings Hope of Drought Relief Across Australia

Soaking Weekend Brings Hope of Drought Relief Across Australia

Soaking Weekend Brings Hope of Drought Relief Across Australia

Hey there — let me tell you what’s been happening with Australia’s weather, because it's a pretty big deal right now. After years of severe drought across southern parts of the country, we’re finally seeing the skies open up in a meaningful way.

A massive rainband — and I’m talking about one that stretches nearly 3,000 kilometers — has moved across the nation this weekend. It started in tropical Queensland and has reached all the way down to Tasmania. That’s huge. And while it’s bringing heavy rain to inland areas, up in the Alps, it’s falling as snow — around 50 centimetres is expected to pile up on the higher slopes. For ski resorts, this is probably the best season they’ve seen in a few years.

Now, this isn't just a one-off event. The Bureau of Meteorology is saying there's more rain on the way, and it could last through the week. A second round of rain is expected to arrive from Sunday through Thursday, which might make July the wettest month for southern Australia since June 2023. That’s a real milestone considering how dry it's been.

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Let’s talk specifics. This rain event really kicked off with a strong cold front pushing through Western Australia. Perth saw over 50 millimetres, and there was even a rare tornado out west. That front dragged in a lot of tropical moisture, which is exactly what's needed for decent inland rain. Then a low-pressure system formed and moved across the southern coast, helping spread the rain eastward.

By Friday, places like Clare in South Australia recorded over 25mm — the most they’ve had in months. Even Mildura, which has been bone dry this year, finally got its biggest fall of 2025, even if it was just around 10mm. It’s not flooding rain everywhere, but it’s something.

And it gets better — the outlook for spring is looking promising too. The Bureau’s long-range models are showing a 70 to 90 percent chance of above-average rainfall for central and eastern Australia through October. That’s being linked to early signs of a weak La Niña and a negative Indian Ocean Dipole — both of which typically bring wetter weather to our region.

Of course, we shouldn’t get too carried away just yet. Climate models can’t give us guarantees, especially without strong climate drivers already in place. But taken together — this weekend’s rain, the follow-up systems, and the outlook — there’s a real sense that we might finally be turning a corner in this drought.

So, if you’re seeing grey skies this weekend, just know that it’s not all gloomy news. For farmers, ski operators, and communities hanging on through the dry, this rain could be the start of something much-needed. Let’s hope it keeps coming.

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