welcome to a new year! may all your forecasts come true in 2012 and you beat your averages!!

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN, RAIN, RAIN, RAIN, RAIN, WOW. Cannot believe it. Was so due for that even though it only lasted 3 minutes.

hahah good to see you excited popeye.Hopefully some more overnight for you guys.Mabe its going to be a wet season over there and not much in QLD..Would have to think about moving again

Yeah I will take anything at the moment. I think that little band was the remnants of something a lot bigger that was inland this arvo. Hopefully the webcam below will show some nice flickering over the next few months. Starting tonight.

WEBCAM TIMELAPSE FOR BROOMES FIRST ENTREE RAIN OF THE SEASON MORE TO COME HOPEFULLY

What do you think Hiho, about time we could look to the sky and see some nice close formations zooming in. I have a good feeling for the rest of the wet season. WA will be where the action is hopefully.

woohoo... 1.5 ml and rapped!! - I'm was soo last year while living that December thread......

Hey Popeye, yep very good!! I was beginning to go a bit potty with the "with every which way but here"... just what the Dr ordered.

Looks like things rapidly thinned out by the time they reach the Broome peninsular - welcome 2012!!!!!!!

Yeah sometimes I often think Broome just needs a few rains just to create a different moisture profile which tends to kick things off. Did a quick drive out to Gantheaume Point as it was approaching. Nothing flash but considering its the first for the year I will have to post up a pic. The colours in the landscape were just beautiful.

I have a feeling Broome will get spanked by a big squally storm this evening. Huge line on radar well into the central Kimberley but making its way slowly West towards us. Fingers crossed today will see the real deal for storms in town here with a 30-50mm downpour.

this wet's a bloody tease... hit and miss... Derby 35, Curtin 2... Broome still waiting

Beautiful pic there Popeye! Lovely contrast of colours.

Nice shot Popeye! Geeze the dust on the webcam has been terrible - just needed one good downpour to get rid of it! I'm really quite surprised it didn't happen in November/December... not sure if it's unusual not to get any heavy rain in those months? Anyway, looking at today;s images it looks a little cleaner already and there's some rain approaching again now so hopefully that cleans it right up! Just need to swap out the dead western camera now

Yep the webcam just got cleaned. Raining steadily here now. Often Broome's first rains are in late Dec. Early Jan definitely has you on edge though being so late. This season there hasn't been much inland build up which has been disappointing aspect. In a normal year you can get that regular big inland convection from late Sept right through till the first rains.

The rain now is nothing overly heavy but better than nothing. Chased up the Cape leveque road this arvo nice storm line rolling in. Very heavy downpour just out of Broome as we headed back into town. Sat down at Town Beach overlooking Roebuck Bay and watched the wind thrash in. It was weird the rain just sat 2kms offshore for over 20 minutes just sitting there really heavy and not budging. It finally decided to come in but the hoped for 30mm will be more likely 5mm.

Nice to finally see some of the wet stuff again. Once the town gets a good soaking I reckon the storms will break through that umbrella that sits over Broome and give us some nice falls over the remaining months of the wet. Can't wait for more.

13.5 mm at home

Poor Broome Guys.

Come down this way (Pt Hedland & Karratha) then you will have something to whine about.

Yeah I guess we have to whine abit longer until our 11mm season totals surpasses Hedlands 18mm and Karrathas 38mm lol.

Nahh it'll all come probably in some big bursts for you guys throughout FEB and MARCH when some big fat moisture laiden LOWS/TC's cruise down the Pilbara.

It has literally been 2 months since we have seen rain here in Hedland. The forecasts are looking promising though, according to my weather widget *which annoys me but I still haven't had the heart to delete it lol* Looking forward to a few big thunderstorms to pass by so I can do a quick chase. Looks like ya had a nice dose of rain up in Broome.

Out of the blue... a random 10 minute shower mid-arvo, 4.5 mm.

Nice one hiho, things are starting to happen up your way, definitely the time of year for it. Hope the predictions are right about the rain in the Pilbara this week, looks like it's going to be a ripper, early to mid week. Wife is wondering if it will ever rain here, so I bought her an industrial fan with high pressure sprayers for the back patio, same thing right ? . .

hahah - desperate times call for desperate measures FIFO. Was thinking about doing the same thing myself there for a while. Good luck for next week........... bring it on!!!

definitely hiho, mate looking more and more promising for some big rains, I am chewing at the bit for some good solid rains to hit for a few days, how good would it be.

Will definitely be good mate, still can't believe how mild its been in Hedland this summer so far....something gotta give before too much longer

WOW check this out. Even in only half that eventuates I will be happy. HAHA knowing the NWEST only 1/10th of it will probably happen. Good signs though.

Nice showers passing through Broome today. 3.4mm out of the first one and hopefully plenty more still to come. 3-4 days of weather for the NWest would be a nice kick start to the wet season ahead. Settle the dust.

Dust is still flying in Hedland. Something has to give soon, nice looking skies today, slightly cloudy but a hint of a change in weather happening. Not too hot at the moment either, can only be a matter of time now.

Town measured 12.8mm from a few passing storms this morning. I was down at Cable Beach earlier and the first storm just sat there for over half an hour. Big heavy bursts of rain the entire time. They would have easily measured 50mm down there. Roads were full to the gutters, drains flash flooding. Was awesome to see. Drove 1km inland and town was nearly dry. Very localised downpour. More to come hopefully.

Told ya it was WA who was going to get decent rain this year..Think your wet season is on the way Popeye...Better than the crappy weather over here ...boring boring...

The rain is continuing tonight here in Broome. Nice and steady now after two big storms passing through today. So nice to finally get some rain. Looks like possibly more to come over the next few days as that LOW develops out to our West and feeds some nice thunderstorm activity over town.

Had a brief shower in the early hours this morning, started up again around 07:30 and has not stopped since, being able to air out the house with all the windows open is also a bonus. Looks like quite a few large bands on the satellite and radar continuing through this morning touch wood. Absolutely loving it.

Woah, the radar isn't doing Hedland justice at the moment. It is absolutely belting down!!

I forgot how hard the rain can get when there is a tropical low around, started getting used of the rain over in Qld every few days but thats got nothing on how it comes down over here.One of the joys of being FIFO

Looks like BOM are interested in this Hangin Around and even Intensifying ( Precip. Wise ) ........

IDW39620

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Western Australia

A Commonwealth and State interagency partnership that provides
flood warning services for the community of Western Australia

Flood Watch
for the Pilbara
Issued at 10:49 AM on Monday the 9th of January 2012
Western Australia Flood Warning Centre

A monsoon trough with multiple weak lows is developing over waters north of the
Pilbara. Widespread rainfall of 100mm to 150mm with isolated heavier falls
could occur in the Pilbara and adjacent parts during the next 3 to 4 days.

Based on the forecast rainfall, stream rises and localised flooding is possible
today in the central and eastern areas of the Pilbara, becoming widespread
Tuesday onwards.


FESA State Emergency Service (SES) advises people in the area to prepare to
relocate equipment and livestock early. Put fuel in your vehicle and watch
water levels. Some roads may be impassable, obey road closure signs and do not
drive into water of unknown depth and current. Take note of Floodways along
roads, tracks and highways. Floodwaters are dangerous and you should not walk,
swim or play in them. For SES assistance call 132 500. For more safety tips
visit www.fesa.wa.gov.au .

Current river levels are available from Department of Water at
www.water.wa.gov.au

This advice is available by dialling 1300 659 213. Warnings, rainfall and river
information are available at www.bom.gov.au/wa/flood

Weather Forecast:
Isolated showers and thunderstorms tending scattered in eastern parts with
moderate to heavy falls in the east.


Next Issue:
The next flood watch will be issued by 10am Tuesday 10 January 2012.

Information on road conditions contact Main Roads WA Customer Contact Centre on
138 138 or at www.mainroads.wa.gov.au.

hi guys, great that some areas of the north look like getting some action.
now please tell me, which area covers the actual 'pilbara'. like, from broome to wyndham to port headland???

A bit further south than that Mick, though it can be argued that anywhere south of Broome is Pilbara country. But by definition the map below shows the boundaries...

thanks orebound,
i thought it was much further north than that too. love to venture up that way one day. only just made it to Perth and bunbury for the first time last year. one day!!

Another lovely line just came through then. The horizon line down at the beach was speccy. A quick fire 10mm to add to an already promising January. Yehaah.

46.5 mm here yesterday Popeye... and glad to hear your good news FIFO!

Some good falls starting to come through again this morning

I wish these rain bands had a bit more grunt to them. Steady light rain here for the last hour. Looks like a few more lines coming through soon. Severe Weather warning out for the Pilbara now too.

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for Heavy Rainfall and Damaging Winds
For people in the Pilbara District within an area bounded by Onslow to
Paraburdoo to Newman to Wallal. This includes people in, near or between the
following towns: Onslow, Karratha, Port Hedland and Newman.
Issued at 9:40 am on Tuesday 10 January 2012

WEATHER SITUATION

A Tropical Low located near 14 degrees South 119 degrees East is moving
southwards towards the Pilbara coast. The low should take a more southwest track
on Wednesday and gradually develop. Though it is unlikely to become a Tropical
Cyclone, there will be heavy rainfall and squally winds to the east and south of
the system.

VERY HEAVY RAINFALL is expected throughout the area today and on Wednesday
resulting in widespread rainfall totals in excess of 100mm and isolated heavier
falls. Refer to Flood Advices for further details.

DAMAGING WINDS to 100 kilometres per hour which could result in DAMAGE TO HOMES
AND PROPERTY are expected in coastal areas east of Port Hedland early on
Wednesday, extending west to Dampier during the day.

Tides will be higher than expected east of Dampier.

Wittenoom reported 129mm and Millstream 122mm of rainfall for the 24 hours to
9am on Tuesday.

Have a large band of rain side swiping us at the moment about 70-80 kms away on the radar. No rain for Hedland at present, and by the looks of things I think we would be lucky to have any more rain today. Seriously hoping I am wrong on this, even saw hints of blue skies above. Tomorrow could be a different story dependent on where this low starts tracking. Fingers crossed, still haven't got my fix yet, although 60mms + has been a bonus.

IDW28001
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Western Australia



TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
CANCELLATION OF SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for Heavy Rainfall and Damaging Winds
People in the Pilbara District are advised that the Severe Weather Warning for
inland parts of the Pilbara district has been CANCELLED.
People in or near the coast between Wallal to Cape Preston including the towns
of Port Hedland, Karratha, Roebourne and Dampier should refer to the latest
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE issued by the Perth Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre for
further warning information.
Issued at 3:30 pm on Tuesday 10 January 2012

WEATHER SITUATION

A Tropical Low located near 15 degrees South 119 degrees East is moving
southwards towards the Pilbara coast. The low should take a more southwest track
on Wednesday and gradually develop.

Widespread heavy rainfall in excess of 100mm well away from Tropical Low is no
longer expected over inland parts of the Pilbara. Localised heavy falls from
thunderstorm activity are likely to continue over the next 24 to 48 hours.


People in or near the coast between Wallal to Cape Preston including the towns
of Port Hedland, Karratha, Roebourne and Dampier should refer to the latest
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE issued by the Perth Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre for
further warning information.


No further severe weather warnings are expected to be issued for this event.

This warning is also available through TV and Radio broadcasts; the Bureau's
website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 213.

Guys something we need to keep aware of in the very near future for Port Hedland and surrounds. Moderators apologies as I was not sure which was the best area to post this.

Cheers

IDW28002
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Western Australia



TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for Locally Damaging Winds and Heavy Rainfall
For people in coastal parts of the Pilbara between Whim Creek and Pardoo
including Port Hedland.
Issued at 9:45 am on Friday 13 January 2012

WEATHER SITUATION

At 9 am a low was located 180 kilometres north northeast of Port Hedland moving
south southwest towards the coast. The low is expected to cause a period of
HEAVY RAINFALL and LOCALLY DAMAGING WINDS to 100 kilometres per hour which could
result in DAMAGE TO HOMES AND PROPERTY for a period from midday to late
afternoon.

WHAT TO DO

FESA State Emergency Service [SES] advises people to secure loose objects, move
vehicles under cover and stay inside away from windows. If caught outside find
shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams. Boat
owners should make sure their boats are securely moored. Take extra care on the
roads as flooding is possible. If driving through heavy rain slow down and turn
your lights on or if visibility becomes low pull over and park until it passes.
For SES assistance call 132 500. For more safety tips visit www.fesa.wa.gov.au

The next warning will be issued by midday Friday.

This warning is also available through TV and Radio broadcasts; the Bureau's
website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 213.

I just flew out this morning so get to miss all the fun for this one

See if I can get some photos Craig, the build up is brilliant

Great looking storm heading our way at present outside and on the radar, hopefully we get something out of it, normally they start heading inland but this looks to be heading our way. Time to buy a decent camera and get some shots of these great looking systems. Fingers crossed we don't just get side swiped with no rain at all.

Go easy on me, first time putting pictures up.



Had to show this, was amazing, and wish I could remember the terminology I heard discussed about the bottom *ring* of clouds bursting out from the storm. Was amazing to look at.

Amazing storm happening at Fortescue Roadhouse right now. Never really experienced b4, tge storm had been brewing just NE of us, winds were NW then came busting thru NE, heaps of lightning strikes within 1km of camp, then slowly eased after a bucket of rain, only to have the wind stronger from the WSW! After another lull, the hardest yet back from the ENE!! Still got bolts around us, but rain has eased! Try to load some vids up from my iphone

Good reports and pics there guys. Sounds like a bombing range this afternoon here in Broome. Inland going off over the last hour. Might head out to see if anything worthy of a photo or two. Hottest day humidity wise this season. Feels like 44-45 degrees with such high dew points. Something has to explode today.

Nice storm rolled through town. Managed to get very lightening active as it passed overhead. Managed a couple of photos as it approacehed over Roebuck Bay. Also a few pictures of a storm over Gantheaume point last week. Timelapse of storm approach

Entrance Point Port Broome 20th Jan





Gantheaume Point

awesome popeye, great snaps

Top photos there popeye,cant mistake that water with the red rocks,looks amazing...

nice little storm hitting port now, bit of noise bit of light show fair bit of rain....sweeeet

great looking storm SC, checking it out from South at the moment, not much activity here but you guys must be getting some good rains in Port.

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDW60801/IDW60801.94312.shtml

I guess the rain decided to bypass the airport and south altogether...recorded the big donut out there...but my driveway can assure you we got a fair bit in 15 mins

I think we are in for a show this arvo here in Broome. Heavy downpours twice over the last hour and she is grumbling heavily to our north at the moment. YEEEHAAHHH.

Yep gonna get nailed by this one. Its very rain wrapped so cant see anything. Just deep booms. Might have to shut computer down I think. lol

Just heard on Perth local radio that you guys are in for some damaging winds and storms. Must be good to at last get a soaking.
Enjoy !

Had an awesome few days.....been some excellent storms early AM. Had a downpour the last couple of mornings.

Also Sunday had a massive dust storm come through as well was awesome....got some pics but will have to find em

Good to hear KPD. Hope you guys get a sweet drop over the next week. Forecasted up to 5 metre combined seas/swell off the West Kimberley coast not to mention the entire Pilbara coast aswell. Unbelievable!!

Good rainfalls starting to occur up the peninsula at Lombadina. 55mm over the last 2 hours. Almost looks like the monsoon coming onshore up there and its making its way down slowly. Bring it on. Should be an exciting week.

Yeah Wind and Swell Ay .
Got a Pro Kite Boarder Friend who is heading up Exmouth - Broome way chasing whatever gets whipped up .

Now surfing in those conditions is a little Reckless , but Kiting " Crazy " .

Mind you , He's probably one of if not the best in the World . (He's on those Jeep Ads ) . So if ya see Two new Jeep's with a Jet ski on the back and Boards on the Roof Follow Them for some Very entertaining viewing .

Yeah I was thinking of doing the same. Pro kayaking in the cyclone. lol. So if you see an old rusty Hilux bogged to the eyeballs on some flooded back road it will probably be me so follow me for some entertaining viewing aswell. lol.

Nahh Will be interesting to see Cable Beach webcam tommorrow around the high tide especially into Friday aswell. Today was the biggest for a few years out there and its all monsoonal surf. As this Low is still only a low and 2000kms away.

The Heavens decided to open up in South Hedland. Absolutely belting down at the moment, heavy steady rain with the wind factor. Installed new security cameras around the house and enjoying seeing the rain in the comfort of the lounge room. Awesome! Should stick around for a while by the looks of that radar.

loving that radar ,how juicy looking is that....good luck you crew,looks like you are in for a few wet days...

Quietened down a bit here in South, but checking the rain band heading from the north looks to have some heavy showers in it with a few doses of lightning for good measure. Hoping this sticks around for a couple of days. The place is looking tops at the moment, nice and green, and what's surprised me is the flies and mozzies have stayed away.

How good is this rain, continuous bands of light to medium showers, going to be a nice quiet weekend of kicking back watching the weather. How you going in Karratha and Broome ? any good rains to report ?

im with you lovin this rain fifo...i'm toying with kicking back this weekend or going south to get a bit closer to iggy and get some pics...close but not too close

Been raining all night in Broome. Looks set to continue aswell. 20.6mm and climbing steadily. I'm hoping that Iggy just keeps pulsating nice rainbands off him for the next 4 days. Cannot believe up the peninsula here at Cygnet Bay, Cape Leveque and Lombadina all have had near or over 400mm from this event. MAD.

From a non event in December to what we are experiencing now, how quickly it all turns around. Stormchaser careful mate, you know the roads between Hedland and Karratha flood fast, so many floodways along the way, your weekend could turn into a Week lol.

How insane is this rainfall. Along the entire NW coast and not just sporadic thunderstorms just nice steady constant rain along the entire coast. 50mm and climbing here in Broome.

Wish i was there popeye,the countryside will be looking so good shortly.All those rivers and waterfalls will be going off.

I have never seen the North West radar look as good as it does at the moment and early this morning. Now listening to the sounds of a few lightning strikes around the place. Absolute bliss. Time to get the 80 series out and give her a nature bath.

not much rain today hopeing we get some more tonight and tomorrow

Normally such a quiet calm beach even in high tide
looking along the coast from here towards the harbour you can see cemetery beach copping an absolute pounding from the waves...now for some more fantastic rain please mother nature mamn'

Yeah swell has been awesome here too Stormchaserjr. Rain has eased back today to a few showers passing through. By the looks of the forecasts it might have a little bit more rain here tommorrow and then it will fine up for the foreseeable futre. As for cyclones I think it may be Late Feb for the next round. Unless a randon surprise sneaks up on us. Which is to be expected at this time of year.