RAIN SIGN OF THINGS TO COME

DARWIN was drenched with rain in the 24 hours to Saturday morning, as Top End residents woke to an early thunderstorm.

The Bureau of Meteorology recorded 20mm having fallen in the Territory capital in the 24 hours to 9am Saturday.

Noonamah recorded 34.6mm and Charles Point 23.8mm over the same time frame.

Darwin is forecast to hit a top temperature of 33C on Sunday, with the chance of a thunderstorm inland.

The Bureau predicts a top of 34C on Monday with mostly sunny conditions and a less than 10 per cent chance of rain.

In Alice Springs, a cool change is forecast to come through on Wednesday next week, with a 40 per cent chance of rain.

Thursday is forecast to hit a top of 24C.

Weather right across the Top End is expected to be wetter through the summer months, fuelled by La Nina conditions in the Pacific.

BOM has predicted a 70 per cent chance of an early Wet this year.

Picture: Julianne Osborne Wet weather did not dampen the crowds at Parap markets, which made stall owner Mithran Selvaratnam very happy.