Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Climatology | Impacts | Extremes| TCs affecting WA towns | Forecast Accuracy
Frequently Asked Questions | Annual summaries

Definitions | Characteristics and Formation | Climatology | Extremes | Forecasting | More Information

Extremes

2.What is the highest rainfall associated with a tropical cyclone?

The maximum rainfall recorded in a Western Australian cyclone was 927 mm in 36 hours (747 mm in 24 hours) at Whim Creek in 1898. La Grange (now Bidyadanga) recorded 616 mm of rain in 72 hours during cyclone Bessie in January 1964 and 532 mm (24 hours) during cyclone Sally in December 1971. Cyclone Joan produced rainfall totals in excess of 600 mm near Tom Price in December 1975.

Globally, the highest rainfall events seem to have occurred at La Reunion in the western Indian Ocean.
12 h: 1144 mm at Foc-Foc (2290 m altitude) in Tropical Cyclone Denise, 7-8 January 1966;
24 h - 1825 mm at Foc-Foc (2290 m altitude), La Reunion during TC Denise, 7-8 January, 1966;
48 h - 2467 mm at Aurere (940 m altitude), La Reunion on 8-10 April, 1958;
72 h - 3240 mm Grand-Ilet (1150 m altitude), La Reunion during TC Hyacinthe 24-27 January, 1980.