Canberra braces for first major downpour in almost two months

Canberra was given a much-needed soaking on Tuesday morning, as the capital braces for a major downpour on Wednesday.

Data from the Bureau of Meteorology showed 1.2 millilitres of rainfall was recorded at Canberra Airport between 6.30am and 6.38am, before another millimetre of rain hit the capital between 9.30am and 10am.

The rain will be welcomed by fire crews at Pierces Creek, who have contained, but are continuing to monitor, a blaze that raged near Tuggeranong over the weekend.

The bureau is predicting up to 5 millimetres of rainfall in the capital on Melbourne Cup day, with more showers - and the chance of a thunderstorm - on Tuesdy afternoon or evening. It is expecting a far more significant drenching in the next 24 hours.

Between 15 and 25 millimetres are expected on Wednesday, which, if the forecast holds, could mark the biggest downpour since 24.6 millimetres drenched the capital on September 7.

A maximum of 0.2 millimetres is predicted for Thursday, with the rest of the week expected to remain dry.

Canberra receives an average of 63 millimetres of rain during November, making it the capital's second wettest month behind September.

February has been the only month in 2018 to deliver above average rain, as the territory, and large parts of eastern Australia, struggle through drought conditions.

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