Mid West and Gascoyne region experiencing strong rainfall as Kalbarri on track to break records

The Mid West and Gascoyne regions are showing signs of record rainfall, with some areas standing out for unprecedented drenchings so far in 2024.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the Mid West region has had between 300 and 400mm of rain so far this year.

However, the area in and around Kalbarri has had more than its fair share, with the town on track to break its wettest year on record.

A BOM spokesperson said so far this year, the coastal town has recorded 541.8mm of rain, much higher than the area’s average rainfall.

“Kalbarri has 200mm above its annual rainfall average of 337.7mm from 52 years of rainfall records,” she said.

“It’s just a few millimetres behind Kalbarri’s the wettest year on record, which was in 1984 with a total of 547.4mm.”

The rainfall was particularly heavy in June, with Kalbarri recording 72.4mm of rain on one day alone, causing flooding in the area.

The Gascoyne region has seen rainfall bounce back from record lows to surge past the average in 2024.

Last year was Carnarvon’s driest year on record, according to BOM, with just 54mm of rainfall.

This year has seen it go 30mm past the yearly average, with the year-to-date rainfall at 258.8mm.

It trails behind the record however, which was in 1963 when 556.6mm fell throughout the year.

While some areas have gone well past their average, other areas are yet to reach it according to the latest BOM data.

Northampton has recorded 439mm so far, short of its average of 478.8mm.

Meanwhile, Geraldton has recorded 359.6mm in 2024, which according to BOM is close to the yearly average.