Australia Weather News

Record-breaking unseasonal rainfall in Western Australia's far north has put travel and business plans on hold, leaving some tourists stranded at campsites. 

A surface trough which had been sitting over the north-east Indian Ocean generated a rain and cloud band across north-west WA earlier this week. 

It led to parts of the Kimberley receiving more than 100mm of rain, with temperatures falling up to eight degrees lower than the usual averages for May.

Some roads, including the Gibb River Road between Mount Barnett and Kalumburu Road, remain closed.

Rainfall records broken 

Meteorologist with the Bureau of Meterology, Helen Reid, said the dry season rainfall was unusual. 

Broome Airport recorded 92mm of rain between Sunday and Monday and Kalumburu recorded 117mm. 

Ms Reid said the recent downfall had broken records for highest daily rainfall totals for the month, with 55mm in Wyndham the highest in more than 50 years. 

"Argyle has had one as well after 41 years of records there, Nicholson we've got 100 years of records there and they've also got their 62mm as the highest through there," she said.

"So lots of places got a new entry in those record books." 

Ms Reid said the cloud band was weakening and there was not much rainfall expected across the northern parts of WA from Thursday. 

Rain doesn't dampen spirits

Annie Schofield and her son Sam Younis have been waiting in Purnululu National Park, with access in and out of the park closed due to the rain. 

The pair were doing an overnight hike when they decided to return to the campground due to forecasted rain. 

"The thunder was rolling in the morning before too, so I said, 'Sam, I'm not staying here with wet stuff. We've gotta get out of here,'" Ms Schofield said. 

Mr Younis said they got hit by a "big downpour of rain" halfway back on the 10-kilometre walk to the campground. 

"We walked back wet in the dark," he said.  

"Purnululu was getting lit up by the lightning and then we got back to our camp at about 8pm and went to bed in our semi-wet tents." 

The pair said they were grateful to staff who provided them with an equipped donga to wait in until roads dried and reopened. 

Ms Schofield said it was a wonderful experience despite the rainfall impacting their plans to travel to El Questro. 

Naomi Hayes, who is travelling the Gibb River Road with her family, said while the rain had impacted some of their plans, it had not dampened their spirits. 

"Honestly we feel pretty lucky," she said.

"We've got an awesome camp spot to ride it out and it's all part of the Gibb River Road experience.

"We've been enjoying the lightning shows, spotting birds, listening to dingoes howl at night, safely checking the river for any crocs and chatting with fellow travellers.

"Even though we can't move on just yet, we're embracing it all, going with the flow and really living in the moment." 

Businesses impacted 

Some businesses across the Kimberley have suspended operations due to road closures. 

Broome Bird Observatory warden Jamie Van Jones said while access was closed, staff were on-site until the road dried. 

Stuart Kempton from DSS Transport in Derby said the downpour had caused some headaches for businesses. 

"People desperately need fuel and chiller freezer services out to their destinations (as) tourists are starting to come and stations are starting to get their mustering season underway," he said. 

"We have to work out how best we can get the goods to the people.

"It will certainly be planes and helicopters utilised I imagine, especially this week with fresh goods."