With seemingly endless forecasts of 'just a shower or two' for the Gold Coast over the last couple of weeks is leaving tourism operators not only with dampened spirits but lost business and revenue.
Today's showers seemed more like patchy rain with moderate falls occurring during the day across the Gold Coast, especially closer to the coast and near Springbrook in the hinterland.
The top 24hr rainfall figures to 9am today (21st April 2010) recorded 66mm at Southport, 56mm at Moldendinar, 55mm Upper Springbrook, 46mm at Oxenford and 44mm at Loder Creek Dam. (Source: BOM Qld Flood Warning Centre)
According to news articles at the Gold Coast Bulletin, Melbourne has 'stolen' our weather with city recording higher temperatures around 27-29 degrees. With the constant rainy weather here on the coast, bookings for outdoor activities such as river cruises and houseboats are at low levels with tourists preferring the sunny weather. (Source: Gold Coast Bulletin)
It appears Melbourne have also taken our afternoon summer storms with a severe storm lashing the city at around 6pm yesterday, causing flash flooding and roof damage to properties that prompted over 300 calls to the State Emergency Service. (Source: The Age).
The outlook for the Anzac weekend forecasts the showers clearing on Saturday but possibly returning again from Sunday afternoon.