AI-generated summary
Western Australia experienced a particularly dry winter, including one of the driest Julys on record, creating agricultural stress before the weekend rainfall.
A weather system that formed in the north of Western Australia has made its way south over the weekend, bringing with it much-needed rain after a particularly dry winter, including one of the driest Julys on record.
In the Goldfields, Kalgoorlie-Boulder recorded four times its normal September rainfall, while some gauges in the south of the state recorded almost 100 millimetres.
Bremer Bay farmer Peter Buckenara said it was the most rain he had received all year.
The beef and grain farmer said after 48 hours of constant precipitation, the heavy rainfall had damaged some crops, while other crops benefited from the rain.
"Unfortunately, the oats are lodged or fallen over, so it means they'll either have to be swathed, or we'll try and pick it up with a harvester off the ground," he said.
"Certainly a bit of damage there, but canola and wheat still looks fine."
Balm for dry winter
As the state's grain harvest approaches, Mr Buckenara said he hoped for a break in the rain to give his crops and fields time to dry out.
"We're due to start hay early this week, and we'll certainly delay that just because the paddocks are too wet to get on," he said.
"We're probably a week away from swathing, so that might still happen on time."
Grain can clog machinery, and spoil if harvested when wet.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Grace Abbott said the system that crossed the coast on Sunday night had largely dissipated, with conditions expected to dry later in the week.
"It looks to be light to moderate rainfall about the south coast for both Monday and Tuesday," she said.
"On Wednesday, we have a cold front brush by; it looks to be 1 to 5 millimetres, but some isolated 10 millimetres rainfall, particularly about the coast."
Conditions too dry
While it was a case of too much rain on the south coast, farmers about 200 kilometres north said much of the deluge fell around their farms rather than on it.
Gnowangerup farmer Timm House said he received 2mm on one property and 19mm on the other.
"We could see a lot of rain clouds went north and east of us [on] Saturday, and then Sunday we had a few showers go to the west of us," he said.
"We're hoping for a bit more than 2 millimetres [on the second property]. It would have been nice to get 10 to 15, that would have been awesome rain.
Mr House said after a dry year that only saw the region crack about 200mm, he was hopeful about getting some rain ahead of harvest.
"We're still hoping the crops are going to be OK, but the rain that we've got over the weekend, wherever that fell will pretty much, barring no other issues, it will get us get us an average yield," he said.
"We would definitely take more rain."
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Conditions expected to dry later in the week with light to moderate rainfall Monday-Tuesday and a cold front bringing 1-5mm Wednesday
Very likely · Within days
Harvest operations likely delayed due to wet paddocks
Likely · Within days

Australians in the nation's south-east are expected to experience the warmest September day in years, with temperatures rising 6C to 12C above average over the weekend. Coastal areas will reach the high 20s while inland regions extend into the low to mid 30s due to a cold front in Western Australia and a high-pressure system in the Tasman Sea dragging warm, dry, sunny weather. Canberra and Melbourne are forecast to record their highest September temperatures since 2023, with Sydney reaching 28C and Hobart its hottest September day in seven years. Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore warned of further fluctuations, including cooler conditions early next week followed by an even bigger heat burst later in the week. He noted these spring temperature swings are common, citing Hobart's forecast of 27C on Sunday dropping to 14C on Monday as an example of the 'spring rollercoaster'. The upcoming warm weather is expected to be hotter and more prolonged than this weekend, with most of south-eastern Australia running 8C to 15C above September averages from Thursday onward. The BoM's spring outlook is warm and dry, with a strong El Niño developing in the Pacific forecast to peak in late spring or summer and reach levels above the warmest observed since 1950. El Niño increases the chances of warmer, drier weather and fire danger in summer, particularly in Queensland and New South Wales, raising risks of heatwaves, drought and bushfires. Globally, 2027 is expected to be the hottest year ever due to El Niño. Fire danger is currently high in some parts of the country but not extreme.
Following a polar blast that brought freezing temperatures and snow to south-east Australia, a rapid warming surge driven by hot air from Western Australia's 'heat engine' is set to push temperatures up to 12C above average this weekend, with multiple capitals forecast to record their warmest September days in years before another cold front flushes the heat away within 24 hours.
Queensland experienced above-average temperatures and sunny skies over the weekend, but emergency services continue battling fires, including a deliberately lit blaze near Gladstone. Meteorologists warn of possible smoke impacts from high-pressure ridging and heavy morning fog, while the Rural Fire Service cites high-risk conditions due to warm temperatures and strong winds. Showers are expected along the east coast from Tuesday, increasing to up to 20mm on the north Tropical Coast by Thursday to Saturday.

Record early September heat is forecast for Sydney and Brisbane, with temperatures up to 13C above average, while snow is expected in southern NSW and fire dangers spike due to warm, dry, windy conditions. The Bureau of Meteorology warns of damaging winds, flooding in Victoria and Tasmania, and a strengthening El Niño likely to persist until early 2027, increasing bushfire risks nationwide.
A powerful weather front is bringing record-breaking early September heat to Brisbane and Sydney, damaging winds and thunderstorms across New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, flooding rains in northern Victoria and Tasmania, and snowfall in the Australian Alps, with extreme fire danger declared for Greater Sydney.
Queensland is forecast to experience unusually warm weather in the coming days, with multiple coastal cities in the state's south-east expected to reach 31°C by tomorrow and Brisbane potentially hitting 33°C. The Bureau of Meteorology attributes the heat to westerly winds and a high-pressure system extending a ridge to the mainland. Birdsville in western Queensland is predicted to reach 37°C, though the annual Birdsville Races will proceed with organisers confirming preparations including additional shade and horse cooling measures. Authorities warn of heat-related risks for vulnerable populations, urging hydration, sun protection, and checking on isolated older residents.