Massive cloudband bringing rain to millions across Australia

Satellite images show a huge cloudband stretching thousands of kilometres from east to west across Australia, where it’s been bringing rain all week to the inland regions.

The cloud extends from the Indian Ocean off Western Australia to the Tasman Sea.

Weatherzone reported that falls of “around 10mm” had been recorded in regional South Australia and western NSW on Thursday.

But far heavier falls were recorded in northern Tasmania (118mm at Lake Mackenzie), while Daylesford in Victoria received 43mm.

“Rain is also falling where its least wanted in mid-August – namely in the mainland alpine region where the snowpack at the ski resorts is taking a beating,” Weatherzone’s Anthony Sharwood wrote yesterday afternoon.

“The rain could turn to snow at higher elevations overnight, but no significant accumulation is expected.”

Those alpine falls included 40.8mm at Mount Hotham and 38.6mm at Falls Creek in Victoria, and 25.6mm at Thredbo Top Station in NSW.

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The capitals of the affected states are forecast to stay largely overcast in coming days, but with only minimal rain, with most falls predicted to stay inland.

The Bureau of Meteorology has picked out a somewhat wetter week for Sydney next week, with up to 10mm falling on Tuesday.

Weatherzone also reported that the inland rain would ease from today, with the weekend largely dry except on Victoria’s coast.

But another wet grey week lies ahead, with a low pressure system forecast to roll across the national south-east.