Weather News

Torrential rain floods Tamworth

An unprecedented amount of rain has drenched the region around Tamworth during the past 24 hours, leading to major flooding along the Peel River.

Tamworth Airport received a massive 164mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am Saturday, the heaviest fall in over 130 years worth of records. West of Tamworth, Gunnedah also received big falls with 112mm, their heaviest rain in 34 years.

The rain is partly due to very warm sea surface temperatures in the Coral Sea. The warm waters have pumped a substantial amount of moisture into the atmosphere over eastern Australia, leading to widespread heavy rain over the past few weeks.

Other notable falls across the state during the past 24 hours include 89mm at Murrurundi and 69mm at Bombala, the heaviest falls in eight years and four years respectively.

Much drier air from the south is currently spreading across NSW, causing the rain to ease.

- Weatherzone

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