We have an internet enabled weather station and we like to keep a track of the rain. Occasionally we miss a week or two when a spider decides to take up residence or some sticks fall in the working parts, but overall, it works well.
In March this year, we had 367ml with 99ml falling on the 31st March. From the beginning of the year, we have had about 540ml. Our catchment is waterlogged and there is erosion everywhere. The water in the Cove is brown and currently unsuitable for swimming. Instead of going in the water, it would be a good time to have a look at the waterfall in the Conservation Area near Goreengi Rd.
However, last year we had even more rain in March, 615ml, with 215ml falling in one day. Total rainfall for 2021 was a huge 2100ml.
Located on the eastern side of the Cove, our weather station is protected and does not give a true indication of the strength of the winds. However, we could see the waves running down the middle of the Cove on the 29/30 March. There was sufficient power to tear one of the oyster lines from its anchor (the second time this year). Fortunately, unlike 2021, we did not have any power outages due to trees falling on the power lines.
We have watched the weather radar over the last few months. The Cove has missed a lot of the bad weather. There was often a big rain covered area over Brisbane and the Northern Rivers and another large band over Sydney, but a small area near Port Stephens would be clear. Our rain event on 31 March occurred when a lot of the coast just had cloud or light rain. The east coast lows hit the entire coast but the severe impacts can be very localised.
