Extreme rainfall: The influence of climate change

This factsheet provides an overview of the influence of climate change on extreme rainfall and flooding in Australia. It was released as an urgent response to the heavy downpours and thunderstorms that began to hit Victoria and Australia’s southeast in early December 2017, which was anticipated as some of Victoria’s most intense rainfall in decades.

Across the northern and central regions of the state, 100-200 mm was expected over three days, while rain totals were expected to reach 250mm+ in the northeast ranges. Some parts were expected to receive more than 50 mm of rain in one hour, resulting in projections of dangerous and widespread flash flooding across Victoria.