Rain ahead for southeastern Australia after record dry start in some areas

Some parts of southeastern Australia are enduring their driest start to a year on record, however relief is finally on the way as a cut-off low is set to bring widespread rain to the region this week.

The dry experienced in 2018 has spilled into 2019, with numerous parts of southeastern Australia registering their driest start to a year on record, with the nation's wool clip expected to be the lowest in almost 100 years.

The capital cities haven't been spared from the record dry either, with Melbourne just recording its driest April in 96 years, and has registered a record low 49mm across the first four months of the year (average 202.5mm).

Adelaide is also seeing its driest first four months on record, with just 17.9mm at the West Terrace site so far this year (long term average 108.9mm).

Thankfully, some much needed rain is on the way to drought affected areas as a cut-off low pressure affects the region..

While the rain will not be drought breaking, widespread totals of 5-15mm are likely across large areas of southern parts of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and southwest Queensland. The rain will begin in South Australia tomorrow (Tuesday), before spreading across the remaining states from Wednesday to Friday. .

Some places are likely to see heavier falls this this though, particularly about northern Victoria, southern and western NSW, coastal parts of South Australia and northern Tasmania, where falls of 20-40mm are likely, although some areas could see in excess of 50mm (particularly over northeast VIC).

Potentially severe thunderstorms are also possible with this system, with the main threat damaging wind gusts and flash flooding.

Most models suggest the system will clear the nation by the weekend as a high pressure region takes hold. .

Image 1: PME Total Rainfall forecast