Long Weekend Rainfall Offers Hope to Parched Regions

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Good news for drought-hit parts of Australia — the long weekend delivered a solid soaking to some of the regions that needed it most. But while the rain was a welcome start to winter, experts say a lot more is needed to really help regional areas bounce back after months of record dry.

According to Weatherzone, a low-pressure system teamed up with a series of cold fronts, bringing multiple rounds of rain and even snow to parts of Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and southern New South Wales.

Over five days, rainfall totals landed around 20mm to 50mm in many of those regions, with some places seeing even heavier falls. The standout was Mount Sabine in Victoria’s Otway Ranges, which copped a whopping 130mm in just 48 hours.

It was a much-needed drink for areas that have been parched all year. Farmers, many of whom have been doing it tough and calling for drought support, finally got some relief.

But the big picture is still pretty grim. So far in 2025, rain totals are sitting more than 50mm below average in large parts of SA, Victoria, and Tassie. Some areas in Victoria are 200mm below average, while in Tasmania, it’s as bad as 400mm.

So while this rain was definitely a step in the right direction, it’s just the beginning.

“Southern and south-eastern Australia will need to see more healthy rain-bearing systems this winter to reduce or wipe out the longer-term rainfall deficiencies,” said Weatherzone.

On the bright side? With the first real winter rains now in the soil, the season is off to a promising start.

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