‘Rain bursts’ over Sydney have intensified 40% over last two decades, research finds

New analysis of weather data suggests potential for severe flash flooding has increased far beyond predictions

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Rapid rain bursts over the greater Sydney region have intensified by at least 40% over the last two decades, new research shows.

Analysis of weather radar data by scientists at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes suggests that the intensity of rain bursts - extreme downpours that occur for a period of about 10 minutes - rose significantly between 1997 and 2018.

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