A COASTAL trough and upper low combined with a very moist onshore flow brought persistent heavy rainfall to much of central and eastern New South Wales, eastern Victoria and Tasmania between May 20 and 24.

Weekly rainfall totals greater than 100mm were recorded along most of coastal NSW and adjacent inland areas.

Isolated pockets in the Illawarra and Central Tablelands districts recorded more than 150mm, and large parts of the Hunter and Mid North Coast districts recorded totals in excess of 200mm.

Major to record flooding occurred in some catchments in eastern NSW.

A weak cold front moved over southern Australia during the week, bringing light to moderate rainfall mostly to south-west Western Australia and western Tas.

Weekly rainfall totals of 25-50mm were recorded in parts of the central and eastern NSW, Tas, eastern Vic, coastal areas of south-west WA, and Kangaroo Island in South Australia, with weekly totals up to 100mm in areas of western and southern Tasmania.

On May 25, a large upper trough brought widespread rain, showers and thunderstorms to parts of WA’s Kimberley district with weekly rainfall totals of 15-25mm.

The highest confirmed daily total at a Bureau gauge was 337mm at Promised Land at Cristal Creek in NSW in the 24 hours to 9am on May 22 and the highest weekly total at a Bureau gauge was 705mm at Comboyne Public School, NSW.