WA: Perth's highest April rain on record

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2008
WA: Perth's highest April rain on record

PERTH, April 29 AAP - Rain-laden tropical lows have helped Perth break the record for
its wettest April in 132 years.

At 8.13am (WST) today a spurt of morning showers pushed the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
rain gauge above the previous record of 148.8mm achieved in 1926.

It is now the wettest April since records began in 1876.

Manager of the BOM Climate Services Centre in Perth Glenn Cook said at 9am today the
total for the month was 152.4mm.

Several tropical lows which moved down the state's coast earlier in the month were
responsible for much of the rain, Mr Cook said.

"Back on the 6th of April we saw 58.6mm in a 24-hour period," he said.

"It was the fourth wettest day on record for Perth, so that clearly contributed a fair
bit to the April total."

The bureau is forecasting possible light showers tomorrow morning which could add to
the total before recording for the month ends at 9am.

Farmers have welcomed the rain, although say it has been patchy across the Wheatbelt region.

"It has a mixed message for farmers because some have received terrific rainfall and
others have received not much at all," WA Farmers chief executive Doug Parker said.

"I had some reports today that it's quite dry around the Merredin and Southern Cross
area for instance.

"The majority have had good rain, but there are still pockets that need a lot more."

Mr Parker said if the entire Wheatbelt had a good season the crop yield this year could
reach 16-20 million tonnes, far higher than the average of 12-13 million tonnes.

AAP np/maur/bwl

KEYWORD: RAIN WA

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