WEEKLY rainfall totals greater than 100 millimetres were recorded in the central north of Victoria and northern Tasmania, with some north-west parts of Tasmania recording over 200mm.

Large parts of south-east Australia, the south-west coast of Western Australia and small parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory received weekly totals of at least 25mm.

A low-pressure system south of the mainland linked up with tropical moisture during the middle of the week, forming an extensive slow-moving rain band over south-east Australia.

On October 13 and 14, many October daily rainfall records were exceeded across sites in central and northern Victoria, and in northern Tasmania.

The highest weekly total at a Bureau gauge of 280mm was recorded at Mount Barrow, Tasmania. This site also recorded the highest daily total during the week of 189mm in the 24 hours to 9am on October 14.

The rain falling on already wet catchments resulted in many major and moderate flood warnings being issued across central and northern Victoria, northern Tasmania, New South Wales and southern Queensland.