Freak weather soaks Australian outback, dumping months of rain in two days

Downpours from massive cloud band may approach 100mm in some regions, triggering flood watches

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Parts of Australia's outback are receiving months' worth of rain over a couple of days as an unusual and extensive rain event douses what's typically the dry season.

Southerners hoping to escape the winter chill in Broome have instead been soaked in 30mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am Tuesday, or the most in a single June day in a decade, according to Weatherzone. Monday's top temperature was barely above 25C - four degrees cooler than a typical June day in the Kimberley coastal town.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup