Winter rainfall breaks decades-old July weather record in Birdsville, Bedourie
Birdsville has broken a 25-year-old July rainfall record. (Supplied)
In short:
Parts of outback Queensland have recorded up to 10 times their average July rainfall.
The weather bureau says the rain has been driven by a trough system from the south west, aided by a strong high pressure system over Tasmania.
What's next?
Local authorities are working to reopen roads that were closed due to the wet weather.
An "unusual" winter drenching has dumped up to 50 millimetres of rain on parts of outback Queensland.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Felim Hanniffy said some areas in the state's far west had recorded up to 10 times the average July rainfall in a weekend.
"It's certainly unusual given the average ... is generally around 4–5mm for July — that just shows you the significance of this rainfall," he said.
Birdsville recorded 16.4 millimetres in 24 hours at the airport site, which was a July record.
Mr Hanniffy said given the sparse locations of observation sites, there may have been higher rainfall totals.
"The highest officially recorded amount was Glenormiston, north-west of Bedourie … potentially its heaviest July rain since 1986," he said.
Although the July rainfall was "unusual", Mr Hanniffy said it was not unprecedented, given there was a significant rain event around the same time last year.
Birdsville has recorded 30mm of rain in July 2024 so far. (Supplied)
Big Red Bash attendees out in time
Thousands of people in Birdsville for Big Red Bash last week managed to leave before just before the rain hit.
Several dirt roads in and out of Birdsville have been closed due to the rain.
Birdsville Senior Constable Stephan Pursell said motorists were adhering to the road changes.
Motorists are being told to check road conditions before travelling in the outback. (ABC Western Qld: Hannah Walsh)
"We had to get a few people out of camping bogs, they just got caught out by the rain," he said.
"Local councils don't close the roads lightly, they do it for safety reasons and to preserve the roads.
"If they're closed, it's usually for a pretty good reason."
The outback's Channel Country is already blooming, after floodwaters moved through the landscape earlier this year.
Senior Constable Pursell said authorities would do their best to ensure visitors could enjoy the greenery.
"This rain in particular has been what you call soaking rain across the outback... it's just going to keep bringing it more and more to life," he said.
"This greenery and wildlife that we've had is just going to continue … we'll make sure the roads are right and the people can make sure they come out and visit."