Unless you live under a rock, you probably noticed that the start of this week in Melbourne was awash with rainfall. Not just any rainfall, but a massive deluge that fell relentlessly for most of the Easter Monday public holiday after weeks of dry weather. It turns out that it wasn't just a heavy downpour, but record-breaking rainfall, as Monday was the wettest April day recorded in Melbourne in 47 years. So if you were staring out the window thinking: "Geez, it's really bucketing down", you weren't being dramatic.
In the 24 hours prior to 9am on Tuesday, April 2, a whopping 53.2mm of rain was recorded in Melbourne. The high level of rainfall also made April 1 the heaviest day of rain in four years, with the last time our city was pelted being all the way back in 2020, on March 5.
And as you've probably noticed by the emergence of jackets and coats, the rain was also accompanied by a cold front. After a teasingly warm start to the Easter long weekend, it looks like our summery weather could be truly done and dusted for now, and we should settle in for some colder times ahead. It wasn't just Melbourne that was soaked and soggy, but the entirety of the state and the East Coast of Australia also experienced high levels of rainfall, with the heaviest in central Victoria and northern Tasmania.
We probably should have seen this coming, as weather forecasters predicted the La Niña weather pattern was due to return to Australia this year. If you haven't already, it's time to dig out your umbrellas.
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