AN INLAND trough, upper disturbance and moist air generated persistent widespread heavy rainfall over parts of the coastal, western and southern interior Queensland and northern New South Wales over the week. 

Weekly rainfall totals of 200-500mm were recorded over a large area of western Qld, exceeding the annual average in some areas.  

Weekly rainfall totals of 50-200 mm, locally higher, were recorded from the system across most of the rest of Qld, the north of the Northern Territory and in northern NSW. 

There was minor to major flooding across multiple catchments, including Cooper Creek in western Qld.

Tropical Cyclone Dianne crossed the northern Kimberley coast around 0230 local time on March 29 and continued as an ex-TC in a south-easterly direction across WA’s Northern Interior and western NT, bringing rain to areas along its track. 

Weekly rainfall totals of 100-200mm were recorded in the northern Kimberley, and 25-50mm was recorded in northern inland areas of WA and south-eastern regions of the NT. 

A low-pressure system developed off the NSW coast, bringing rainfall to the coast from March 29.  

Weekly rainfall totals of 15-50mm were recorded across scattered NSW coastal regions with up to 150mm in isolated regions.  

Weekly rainfall totals of 25-50mm were recorded across scattered regions of northern and eastern Australia. 

The highest weekly total at a Bureau gauge was 602mm at Sunbury in Qld, which includes the highest daily total of 347mm in the 24 hours to 9am on March 27.