Australia Weather News

The "oasis of the outback" has lived up to its title this month, breaking an almost century-old rainfall record today.

The usual red, dry dirt has turned into flowing, muddy rivers and lakes as 318.6 millimetres of rain have bucketed down on the mining city of Mount Isa throughout February. 

It beats the 1930 record from the old Mount Isa Post Office site of 282mm and the 2019 Aero Station (airport) site record of 278mm.  

Steady falls have inundated the town on 17 out of 24 recorded days of the not-yet-finished month, including more than 40mm last night, giving locals reprieve from the usual searing summer heat. 

The town has received rainfall for the past 12 consecutive days. 

Senior meteorologist Christie Johnson from the Bureau of Meteorology said the town had blasted through the previous records. 

"It's not the wettest month on record, but certainly the wettest February on record, it looks like for Mount Isa," Ms Johnson said. 

"[Overnight] there haven't been too many rainfall totals [around the rest of the north-west]. Mount Isa really copped the brunt of it.

"It's definitely been a lot of wet weather out in western Queensland, and this is to do with the low-pressure system that is sitting out over in the south-eastern parts of the Northern Territory."'

She said as the month continued, the record could break even further. 

"We've got the potential for more storms on the forecast today," she said. 

Rain-loving residents

Mount Isa City was spared from the widespread rain and flooding events across the north-west since December, so the mayor and resident of almost 30 years, Peta MacRae, said the rainfall was a magnificent sight. 

"I'm actually thinking we need to rebrand to the Tropical North West," she laughed. 

"I'm looking at the beautiful, full river with the green riverbanks … I think we've been so lucky. 

"We've had water in the right spots, and we haven't had substantial flooding."

Lake Moondarra, which supplies critical water to the town, and Lake Julius are overflowing and at 100 per cent capacity, bringing a sigh of relief to outback residents. 

"We rely on the water from Lake Moondarra, so if that doesn't start off with a good amount in it or a good capacity, then council needs to look at water restrictions as we get drier progressing through the year," Cr MacRae said.

"It puts everyone at peace of mind that they'll be able to get out there, plant a garden and know they'll be able to water it throughout the year."

The mayor said the gloomy days had been a welcome reprieve from what could be the hottest month of the year for the outback town, with top temperatures regularly reaching the mid-40s. 

"February can be pretty brutal here in Mount Isa, but this year has definitely been cooler, and I think it does give everyone a bit of a buzz that we've got this nice rain," she said. 

"The weather's a bit cooler, and everyone's getting out and about to check out our beautiful waterfalls and amazing rivers and having a great time outdoors.

"Definitely 'dancing in the rain' vibes."