A significant northwest cloudband is forecast to bring extensive rainfall to nearly 80% of Australia from July 23-27, 2025, marking one of the most widespread such events in recent years.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and local meteorologists report that the northwest cloudband, enhanced by tropical moisture and a succession of low-pressure systems, may impact a vast area of the country by July 27.
Rainfall totals are expected to reach 25-50 mm (1-2 inches), with isolated areas likely to exceed 80 mm (3.15 inches).
The most recent outlooks suggest that southern and southeastern regions, including the Murray Basin and the Mount Lofty Ranges, could receive their heaviest July rainfall in four years.
Alpine regions, including Perisher and Charlotte Pass, are forecast to receive over 50 cm (20 inches) of new snow, bringing total snowpack to over 2 m (6.6 feet) in some locations, one of the deepest snow totals recorded this century.
Strong winds are also associated with the advancing systems. Wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h (62 mph) have been reported in Victoria’s alpine regions, peaking at 150 km/h (93 mph) at Mount Hotham, with similar gust potential forecast for exposed parts of SA, VIC, and TAS in the coming days.
Rainfall is expected to continue into early next week, with a third front likely to approach WA over the weekend, potentially bringing renewed rainfall across western and central Australia.
Long-range forecasts suggest a continuation of wetter-than-average conditions through August and September, especially across eastern and southern states.