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Notable Point Rainfall Events

World

TABLE

GRAPH

Comparison of Australian notable point rainfall events with the world's greatest observed point rainfall events.

Australia

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

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Notable Point Rainfall Events - Australian Capital Territory

Location
Date
Ended
Duration (min)
Rainfall
(mm)
Source
Fairbairn
20 Dec 1960
 5 12  
Canberra Airport
17 Jan 1971
 12 25 BoM
Fairbairn
22 Dec 1960
 15 20  
Canberra Forestry
21 Oct 1955
 30 37 BoM
Philip
26 Jan 1971
 48 55  
Woden Valley
26 Jan 1971
 60 95  
Mt Ginini
01 Oct 1966
 180 129  
Cotter River
27 May 1925
 1440 181  
Mt Ginini
01 Oct 1964
 1440 223  

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Notable Point Rainfall Events - New South Wales

Location Date 
Ended
 Duration
(min)
 Rainfall
(mm)
 Source
Warawarralong
25 Jan1904
 3 27  
Eastwood
19 Jan1958
 5 20  
Jimenbuen
16 Mar 1895
 5 25  
Fox Valley
21 Jan 1991
 6 38 SWB
Toorooka
8 Mar 1964
 6 51 BoM
Fox Valley
21 Jan 1991
 10 58 SWB
Wandoona
17 Feb 1983
 10 86  
Toorooka
8 Mar 1964
 12 78 BoM
Moree
17 Nov 1959
 20 113  
Lake Eucumbene
30 Dec 1982
 30 120  
Bundarra
Feb 1908
 30 152  
Goonoo Goonoo
11 Feb 1992
 30 175  
Bonshaw
11 Nov 1969
 40 174  
South Yathong
21 Sep 1902
 60 152  
Wingham
8 Jan 1908
 60 152  
Bylong
5 Mar1893
 70 145  
Coronga Peak
28 Jan1910
 120 229  
Wantabadgery Station
29 Aug 1902
 120 254  
Newcastle
18 Mar 1871
 150 267  
Huntley
18 Feb 1984
 180 295 PWD
Wongawilli
18 Feb 1984
 180 296 PWD
Federal
29 Feb 1976
 240 290  
Huntley
18 Feb1984
 300 411 PWD
Huntley
18 Feb1984
 360 467 PWD
Wongawilli
18 Feb1984
 360 515 PWD
Wongawilli
18 Feb1984
 540 653 PWD
Wongawilli
18 Feb1984
 720 717 PWD
Wongawilli
18 Feb1984
 1080 767 PWD
Wongawilli
18 Feb1984
 1440 797 PWD
Dorrigo
21 Feb1954
 1440 809 BoM
Tomewin
27 Jan1974
 2880 889 BoM
Dorrigo
21 Feb1954
 2880 998 BoM
Tomewin
27 Jan1974
 4320 1049 BoM
Bowraville
21 Dec1975
 4320 1090  BoM

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Notable Point Rainfall Events - Northern Territory

Location
Date
Ended
Duration
(min)
Rainfall
(mm)
Source
Jabiru Airport
23 Nov 1984
 12 54 BoM
Croker Island
3 Mar 1969
 15 42 PAWA
Jabiru Airport
9 Feb 1975
 18 54 BoM
Jabiru Airport
23 Nov 1984
 18 73 BoM
Croker Island
3 Mar 1969
 30 67 PAWA
Darwin Regional Office
19 Feb 1969
 30 77 BoM
Jabiru Airport
23 Nov 1984
 30 94 BoM
Jabiru Airport
23 Nov 1984
 60 120 BoM
Croker Island
3 Mar 1969
 60 133 PAWA
Darwin Airport
5 Jan 1991
 120 141 BoM
Croker Island
3 Mar 1969
 120 161 PAWA
Darwin Airport
5 Jan 1991
 180 160 BoM
Darwin Airport
5 Jan 1991
 240 187 BoM
Darwin Airport
25 Dec 1974
 360 214 BoM
Larrimah Composite
21 Jan 1987
 360 215 BoM
Larrimah Composite
21 Jan 1987
 720 391 BoM
Yirrkala Mission
12 Jan 1958
 1440 508 BoM
Port Keats Mission
18 Feb 1976
 1440 510 BoM
Angurugu
28 Mar 1953
 1440 513 BoM
Roper Valley Station
15 Apr 1963
 1440 545 BoM
Angurugu
28 Mar 1953
 2880 686 BoM
Maningrida
11 Mar 1981
 4320 731 BoM
Roper Valley Station
16 Apr 1963
 4320 766 BoM
Maningrida
12 Mar 1981
 14400 1149 BoM

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Notable Point Rainfall Events - Queensland

Location
Date 
Ended
Duration (min)
Rainfall 
(mm)
Source
Tamborine Village
26 Oct 1960
 4 18  
Theodore
11 Jan 1977
 6 33 BoM
Eton
8 Dec 1984
 6 39 BoM
Winton
16 Nov 1902
 8 44  
Prairie
16 Nov 1974
 12 52 BoM
Gatton-Lawes
1 Jan 1969
 12 53 BoM
Gogango
1 Jan 1964
 15 73  
Gatton-Lawes
1 Jan 1969
 18 65 BoM
Mary Valley
4 Dec 1940
 20 89  
Nobby
11Mar 1939
 20 203  
Enoggera
2 Oct 1869
 25 100  
Benarby
28 Nov 1949
 25 102  
Gatton-Lawes
1 Jan 1969
 30 90 BoM
Wamuran
19 Mar 1963
 30 152  
Wegonning Station
24 Feb 1913
 40 130  
Townson (Laidley)
19 Dec 1991
 45 176 BoM
Florence
4 Dec 1920
 60 230  
Gunyerwarilli
20 Nov 1937
 80 270  
Mt Dangar
19 Jan 1970
 120 279  
Upper Ross
3 Mar 1946
 120 305  
Dingo
14 Feb 1911
 130 260  
Topaz
15 Apr 1982
 140 204 BoM
Mt Pelion
17 Feb 1958
 150 292  
Ingham
4 Jan 1980
 180 315 BoM
Kumbia
14 Mar 1941
 180 356  
Mt Kumba
13 Mar 1941
 210 406  
Binbee
6 Jan 1980
 270 607  
Mt Dangar
19 Jan 1970
 300 463  
Mackay
18 Feb 1958
 300 508  
Elaroo
18 Feb 1958
 300 538 BoM
Ingham
4 Jan 1980
 360 488 BoM
Mt Pelion
18 Feb 1958
 360 589  
Kamo
18 Feb 1958
 480 508  
Paluma
9 Jan 1972
 720 617 BoM
Duck Creek
20 Jan 1970
 840 864  
Bellenden Ker Top
4 Jan 1979
 1440 960 BoM
Bellenden Ker Top
4 Jan 1979
 1330 1330 BoM
Bellenden Ker Top
5 Jan 1979
 2520 1577 BoM
Beerwah (Crohamhurst)
2 Feb 1893
 2880 1417 BoM
Bellenden Ker Top
5 Jan 1979
 2880 1947 BoM
Bellenden Ker Top
5 Jan 1979
 4320 2517 BoM
Bellenden Ker Top
8 Jan 1979
 11520 3847 BoM

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Notable Point Rainfall Events - South Australia

Location
Date
Ended
Duration
(min)
Rainfall 
(mm)
Source
Adelaide
3 May 1942
 2 11 BoM
Adelaide
3 May 1942
 5 14 BoM
Punyelroo
28 Dec 1916
 5 18  
Woomera
27 Nov 1977
 6 20 BoM
Adelaide
6 Feb 1925
 7 17 BoM
Coonalpyn
2 Jan 1963
 8 22  
Woomera
27 Nov 1977
 12 30 BoM
Yangya
4 Nov 1934
 15 51  
Cunliffe
25 Mar 1974
 20 61  
Myponga Beach
6 Dec 1986
 20 68 Private
Arcoona
27 Nov 1903
 25 65  
Mt Remarkable
4 Jun 1978
 46 80  
Angaston
13 Feb 1913
 60 96  
Kanmantoo
12 Dec 1894
 60 115  
Strathalbyn
19 Apr 1980
 90 107  
Gladstone
14 May 1974
 90 112  
Port Pirie
31 Dec 1979
 90 125  
Adelaide
6 Feb 1925
 120 121 BoM
Dutton
2 Mar 1983
 135 228 Private
Old Koomooloo
26 Nov 1903
 150 146  
North Adelaide
6 Feb 1925
 180 164  
North Dutton
2 Mar 1983
 180 330  
Buckleboo
26 Jan 1981
 240 191  
Waikerie
8 May 1989
 420 239 Private
Nilpena
14 Mar 1989
 1440 247 BoM
Motpena Station
14 Mar 1989
 1440 273 BoM
Balcanoona
14 Mar 1989
 2880 341 BoM
Innaminka Station
30 Jan 1974
 4320 356 BoM
Hindmarsh Valley
26 Jan 1941
 4320 376 EWSD

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Notable Point Rainfall Events - Tasmania

Location
Date Ended
Duration
(min)
Rainfall
(mm)
Source
Hobart
11 Nov 1984
 5 15 BoM
Tewkesbury
15 Jan 1977
 6 28 BoM
Tewkesbury
15 Jan 1977
 12 32 BoM
Apsley
9 Dec 1985
 15 35 BoM
Tewkesbury
15 Jan1977
 18 35 BoM
Preolenna
19 Nov 1987
 30 51 BoM
West Pyengana
9 Dec 1985
 30 87  
West Pyengana
9 Dec 1985
 60 137  
Launceston Pumping Station
17 Feb 1939
 120 96 BoM
St Helens
2 Feb 1936
 150 159  
Constitution Hill
29 Dec 1916
 180 162  
Fisher River
30 Dec 1973
 360 142 BoM
Cullenswood
22 Mar 1974
 420 255 BoM
Cullenswood
22 Mar 1974
 960 352 BoM
Cullenswood
22 Mar 1974
 1320 377 BoM
Mathinna
5 Apr 1929
 1440 337 BoM
Germantown
22 Mar 1974
 1440 508 BoM
Mathinna
5 Apr 1929
 2880 469 BoM
Riana
6 Apr 1929
 4320 516 BoM

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Notable Point Rainfall Events - Victoria

Location
Date 
Ended
Duration (min)
Rainfall
(mm)
Source
Sunbury
24 Dec 1959
 6 24 MW
Bright
28 Dec 1980
 6 32 BoM
Mont Albert
3 Mar 1928
 10 30 BoM
Sunbury
24 Dec 1959
 12 37 MW
Bright
28 Dec 1980
 12 38 BoM
Blackburn
21 Feb 1922
 15 39 BoM
Swanpool
20 Oct 1955
 15 39 BoM
Sunbury
24 Dec 1959
 18 40 MW
Bright
28 Dec 1980
 18 44 BoM
Cranbourne South
6 Feb 1972
 25 54 BoM
Prahran
5 Feb 1911
 30 61 BoM
Korong Vale
14 Feb 1948
 30 63  
Seymour
2 Dec 1980
 35 56 BoM
Kyabram
17 Jan 1993
 40 83 Private
Kinglake
13 Nov 1971
 45 89  
St Kilda
7 Feb 1989
 60 89 MW
Deer Park
30 Mar 1961
 60 102 BoM
Werribee
16 Jan 1954
 80 203 Private
Footscray
5 Mar 1919
 120 102  
Laverton
7 Apr 1977
 120 105 BoM
Valencia Creek
29 Jan 1971
 180 120 BoM
Laverton
7 Apr 1977
 180 137 BoM
Laverton
7 Apr 1977
 240 153 BoM
Valencia Creek
29 Jan 1971
 360 146 BoM
Laverton
7 Apr 1977
 360 157 BoM
Wollert
7 Apr 1977
 720 191 MW
Mt Ridley
7 Apr 1977
 720 192 MW
Bentleigh East
7 Apr 1977
 720 203  
Falls Creek
29 May 1958
 1440 342 BoM
Tanybryn
22 Mar 1983
 1440 375 BoM
Tanybryn
23 Mar 1983
 2880 458 BoM
Tanybryn
17 Jun 1952
 2880 461 BoM
Balook
20 Feb 1951
 4320 544 BoM
Tanybryn
18 Jun 1952
 4320 588 BoM

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Notable Point Rainfall Events - Western Australia

Location
Date
Ended
Duration
(min)
Rainfall 
(mm)
Source
Karridale
25 Jun 1901
 5 22  
Pannawonica
25 Jan 1967
 6 32 BoM
Derby
20 Feb 1966
 12 38 BoM
Broad Arrow
4 Nov 1902
 15 51  
Frankland
30 Mar 1918
 15 51 BoM
Pannawonica
25 Jan 1967
 16 44 BoM
Halls Creek
23 Jan 1990
 18 49 BoM
Derby
20 Feb 1966
 18 57 BoM
Derby
20 Feb 1966
 30 71 BoM
Ruby Plains
23 Mar 1904
 45 88  
Geraldton
1 Aug 1909
 50 84 BoM
Onslow
25 Jan 1971
 60 91 BoM
Broome
18 Jan 1974
 60 125 BoM
Broome
17 Jan 1982
 120 127 BoM
Broome
18 Jan 1974
 120 151 BoM
Broome
17 Jan 1982
 180 154 BoM
Broome
18 Jan 1974
 180 164 BoM
Condon
27 Mar 1896
 300 234  
Fortescue
3 May 1890
 1440 593  
Broome (Kilto)
5 Dec 1970
 1440 635 BoM
Roebourne
3 Apr 1898
 1440 747 BoM
Broome (Roebuck Plains)
6 Jan 1917
 2880 924 BoM
Roebourne (Whim Creek)
3 Apr 1898
 2880 927 BoM

Source of Rainfall Data

BoM - Bureau of Meteorology Climate Archives

EWSD - Engineering and Water Supply Department, South Australia

MW - Melbourne Water, Victoria

PAWA - Power and Water Authority, Northern Territory

Private - Privately owned rain gauge

PWD - NSW Public Works Department, New South Wales

SWB - &Water Board, Sydney-Illawarra-Blue Mountains, New South Wales

Where the source is not listed the data were obtained from newspapers or the publications "Bureau of Meteorology, Results of Rainfall Observations made in ..."(All States) ( - 1938) and were not able to be confirmed with original records or correspondence.

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World Record Point Rainfall Values

GRAPH: Comparison of Australian notable point rainfall events with the world's greatest observed point rainfall events.

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The World record point rainfall values that are given below have been collated by the World Meteorological Organization and are published in the Guide to Hydrological Practises(1994), 5th edition, WMO No. 168.

Duration
Units
Rainfall
(mm)
Location
Date
1
min
 38 Barot, Guadeloupe 26 Nov 1970
8   126 Fussen, Bavaria 25 May 1920
15   198 Plumb Point, Jamaica 12 May 1916
20   206 Curtea-de-Arges, Romania 7 Jul 1889
42   305 Holt, USA 22 Jun 1947
60   401 Shangdi, Nei Monggol, China  3 Jul 1975
2.17
hours
 483 Rockport, USA 18 Jul 1889
2.75   559 D'Hanis, USA 31 May 1935
4.5   782 Smethport, USA  18 Jul 1942
6   840 Muduocaidang, China  1 Aug 1977
9   1,087 Belouve, La Réunion  28 Feb 1964
10   1,400 Muduocaidang, China  1 Aug 1977
18.5   1,689 Belouve, La Réunion  28-89 Feb 1964
24   1,825 Foc Foc, La Réunion  7-8 Jan 1966
2
days
 2,467 Aurere, La Réunion  7-9 Apr 1958
3   3,130 Aurere, La Réunion  6-9 Apr 1958
4   3,721 Cherrapunji, India 12-15 Sep 1974
5   4,301 Commerson, La Réunion  23-27 Jan 1980
6   4,653 Commerson, La Réunion  22-27 Jan 1980
7   5,003 Commerson, La Réunion  21-27 Jan 1980
8   5,286 Commerson, La Réunion  20-27 Jan 1980
9   5,692 Commerson, La Réunion  19-27 Jan 1980
10   6,028 Commerson, La Réunion  18-27 Jan 1980
11   6,299 Commerson, La Réunion  17-27 Jan 1980
12   6,401 Commerson, La Réunion  16-27 Jan 1980
13   6,422 Commerson, La Réunion  15-27 Jan 1980
14   6,432 Commerson, La Réunion  15-28 Jan 1980
15   6,433 Commerson, La Réunion  14-28 Jan 1980
31   9,300 Cherrapunji, India  1-31 Jul 1861
2
months
 12,767 Cherrapunji, India  Jun-Jul 1861
3   16,369 Cherrapunji, India  May-Jul 1861
4   18,738 Cherrapunji, India  Apr-Jul 1861
5   20,412 Cherrapunji, India  Apr-Aug 1861
6   22,454 Cherrapunji, India  Apr-Sep 1861
11   22,990 Cherrapunji, India  Jan-Nov 1861
12   26,461 Cherrapunji, India  Aug 1860 - Jul 1861
2
years
 40,768 Cherrapunji, India  1860 - 1861

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Last Modified: 12 December 2003, Hydrometeorological Advisory Service.


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