The wettest September in over 100 years

The rain in Western Australia has been relentless due to a series of cold fronts which have swept across the region. In Perth, only ten days of the month were dry.

144.2mm of rain was reported in the city and the airport received a little more, 169.6mm.

This is well over the monthly average of 90.1mm, and the highest rainfall total since 1944.

Elsewhere the rainfall was even more out of the ordinary. 130km to the southeast of Perth, the town of Pingelly was drenched by more than 104mm, making it the wettest September in 108 years.

Pingelly is situated in what’s known as the Wheatbelt, a region of Western Australia which is famed for its agriculture.

Farmers in the region were struggling after one of the driest Junes on record. Now the season has been transformed.

The rainfall has been evenly spread throughout the month, ensuring regular watering for the crops.

However, a bumper yield isn’t guaranteed just yet. Harvest begins in November, and there is still the risk of frost between now and then.

Although September was a soggy affair, October will have a much drier start. High pressure is currently dominating the southwest of Australia, and the next few days should be warm and sunny.