Weather News
Cattle stations in central Arnhem Land rejoice as massive downfalls signal early start to wet season
Daniel Fitzgerald, Monday September 19, 2016 - 15:52 EST
Cattle stations across the Top End of the Northern Territory are celebrating an early start to the wet season with record totals in some areas.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicted an which usually begins in late-October.
Central Arnhem Land received the heaviest rainfall totals, with the community of Bulman breaking its record for the wettest September ever.
Mainoru Station, south west of Bulman, had over 210 millimetres fall at the homestead since around 6pm Sunday.
Manager Danny Hayes said the wet weather was great for his cattle and pasture.
"We will have a lot of surface water and green feed early, so the cattle will start to put on condition and spread out everywhere," Mr Hayes said.
"It has taken 12 hours for 100 millimetres to fall.
"Most soaked in, so it's a lot better for the pastures and it doesn't all run off and head down the river system."
The rain is the first the station has seen since March, except for two small showers totalling around 30 millimetres one week ago.
"Usually we haven't had rain here until the end of November, which is pretty late," Mr Hayes said.
Neighbouring Mountain Valley Station had 168 millimetres of rain fall at the homestead, with 84 millimetres at Conways Station.
To the south west, near Mataranka, Warloch Station had a deluge of 180 millimetres, with nearby West Elsey Station receiving 126 millimetres.
Showers also extended into the Victoria River District, with 68 millimetres falling at Dashwood Crossing on the Wickham River.
The rain did not fall as heavy in the Gulf of Carpentaria, with 20 millimetres at McArthur River Station.
The station's Margaret Daniel said the rain would slow down the scheduled cattle work.
"We will have to abandon the mustering for now and get back to it later, and we don't know how much later, it depends how long [the rain] will stick around," Ms Daniel said.
"It just immobilises us a bit. It would be better if we could finish the work off first."
- ABC
© ABC
2016
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Weather News
Cattle stations in central Arnhem Land rejoice as massive downfalls signal early start to wet season
15:52 EST
Cattle stations across the Top End of the Northern Territory are celebrating an early start to the wet season with record totals in some areas.
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14:02 EST
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Northern Territory weather records tumble as September deluge hits
13:43 EST
Rainfall records have tumbled in the Northern Territory after a weekend deluge brought heavy falls to parts of the Top End.
