Geraldton records highest rainfall in 15 years
Geraldton Airport recorded 58.8mm of rain in the 24 hours prior to 9am, its highest daily rainfall since 2000.
The Geraldton Bureau of Meteorology recorded 69.2mm at Geraldton Airport on March 10, 2000. The highest daily rainfall for site was 100.8mm on March 20, 1999.
A Bureau spokesman said the significant rainfall was a result of high humidity across the state since ex-tropical cyclone Lam. The likelihood of storms and showers has been forecast for Geraldton today and areas further inland for the next few days.
Today’s nine-event Geraldton race meeting was called off at 2am.
“Because all bar two of our jockeys are from Perth and catch a 7am flight, we have to make the call (to race or not) early,” Geraldton Turf Club manager David Wrensted said.
“Obviously, the track was wet – but power was a major problem.
“It was out and probably would have come on and off. The floor of the judges’ box was wet and there were pools of water around the facilities. We may also have had issues with moving the barriers and the ambulance.
“The storm came through at around 10.30-11pm. Sometimes you get these early calls right, sometimes you get them wrong. I think we’ve got this one right.
“It’s a shame. Usually it’s 40 degrees at this meeting and today was going to be in the late 20s,” Mr Wrensted said.
The Bureau of Meteorology has cancelled a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the Pilbara, Gascoyne, Goldfields, South Interior, Central West and Central Wheat Belt forecast districts, but the situation will continue to be monitored and further alerts will be issued if necessary. Although thunderstorms are continuing through the Gascoyne and Goldfields, they are no longer expected to be severe.
Rainfall of 87mm was recorded at Mullewa in the 24 hours since 9am yesterday. The highest rainfall in the past 24 hours was 108mm, recorded at Yackabindi, south east of Wiluna.
