Welcome spring rain falls along the Hunter coast but Murrurundi misses out again
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The parched Upper Hunter has again missed out on a decent soaking from a low pressure system that brought welcome rain along the coast.
Less than a millimetre of rain fell on on drought-stricken Murrurundi on Tuesday afternoon. Still, it was better than nothing for a town where no rain has fallen for a month.
"It was meant to rain all afternoon but it lasted for about an hour," Royal Hotel publican Jules Cross said.
"It might put a bit of green on the grass but that's all."
Umbrellas were a common sight in Maitland on Tuesday. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers
The town, which is surviving on having water trucked in, recorded it's driest winter in 131 years. It also recorded a new maximum temperature of 17.9 degrees during winter.
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Scone had recorded a welcome 4.2 millimetres at 3pm on Tuesday and Cessnock airport recorded 2.8 millimetres.
That compared to Nobbys where more than 12 millimetres had fallen in the 24 hours to 3pm.
While level one water restrictions began in the Lower Hunter this week, restrictions have been part of life in most parts of the Upper Hunter for months.
Murrurundi reisidents have been living under Level 6 water restrictions for more than a year.
Level 6 water restrictions are the highest level before emergency measures are introduced.
Juls Cross at the Royal Hotel. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers
The restrictions include residents limiting their showers to three minutes and combining their washing into two loads a week.
Topping up pools and washing outside surfaces and vehicles is prohibited.
The low pressure system will see rainfall continue from Sydney up to the Mid North Coast on Wednesday before it begins to weaken off.
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