Last-minute downpour doubles monthly rainfall
A LAST-MINUTE downpour has doubled November’s rainfall total on the last day of the month, cancelling events and forcing parents to get creative with keeping the kids entertained.
Bureau of Meteorology community information officer Patch Clapp said rainfall would ease on Friday with an even clearer weekend ahead.
“We’re back down to a 10 per cent chance of rain (Friday), we’re seeing a trough and low move further north and east more quickly than we initially expected,” he said.
“(The weekend) will see cloudy conditions with a slight chance of showery activity and light south-easterly winds.
“At this stage, we’re expecting a quick turnaround from Monday and about Tuesday and Wednesday.”
Heavy showers hit Tully worst in the week leading to Thursday, with 207mm of rainfall falling.
Cairns experienced 97mm of rainfall in the same time period while Tinaroo had 100mm.
For Cairns denizens, it’s a welcome change to the hot and dry conditions that characterised all but one day of November.
Just over 18mm of rain fell on November 30, doubling the rainfall total for the month up to that point.
A further 70mm fell overnight on the first day of December.
Trying, with great difficulty, to keep his two young children entertained during the wet season was Trinity Beach dad Brendan Laws.
“You take advantage of the breaks in the rain and enjoy the cooler weather,” he said.
“Utilise places like the aquarium or any other indoor activities and just try to keep them amused indoors.”
But staying inside can get maddening for the family, so Mr Laws and the kids enjoy the outdoors however they can, rain or sun.
“When it was raining the other afternoon, my eldest daughter who’s five was outside playing and having fun while the street was flooding,” he said.
“She was boogyboarding.” But the rain does have the final say.
Cairns’ Christmas tree
light up event planned for Thursday evening was cancelled after a downpour of heavy rain.
While it’s a minor setback for the start of the festive season, Carols in the Park is still expected to go ahead Sunday
December 11 at Munro Martin Parklands.
Cairns deputy mayor Terry James took the opportunity to remind motorists not to drive through flooded waters and take caution on slippery roads.
Cr James warned Cairns residents and children to be cautious of being swept away or trapped while walking through floodwaters which could potentially be contaminated by chemicals and sewerage.