In a 'complete 180', graziers get early Christmas present with significant rainfall
In short:
Outback graziers have welcomed heavy rainfall across far-west New South Wales.
Previously, just 33 millimetres had been recorded in Broken Hill since the beginning of August.
What's next?
Graziers are hoping for follow-up rains over the summer.
Significant rainfall across parts of outback New South Wales has been hailed as a "godsend", arriving just days before Christmas.
The falls, of up to 50 millimetres in some parts, follow months of hot, dry and windy conditions.
Little rain has led many to sell off or seriously consider de-stocking their properties.
For grazier Britt Anderson, who lives at Cymbric Vale Station, 180 kilometres north-east of Broken Hill, the rain was most welcome.
"To have rain now is absolutely a godsend … things were exceptionally tight,"she said.
"The really hot winds that we've been experiencing the last couple of months have done a lot of damage out here."
A couple of dogs owned by Britt and Mick enjoying a swim. (Supplied: Britt Anderson )
After receiving less than 90mm for the entire year, the 37mm that fell over the weekend has left Britt, her husband Mick and their two teenage daughters very happy.
"Mick is looking like a Cheshire cat, he's walking around very smiley,"she said.
"Looking at puddles, watching creeks, floating down creeks, it's been pretty amazing."
Britt said she is hopeful there will be more rain to follow.
"It was a bit triggering, it didn't feel like that long ago we were in severe drought,"she said.
"It's been an absolute complete 180 for us, to have that hope that … the rest of this season and the summer season is set up."
'Out of the blue'
Rob Pearce said the storm "came out of the blue" 45 kilometres south of Broken Hill.
"It's been really dry and no sign of rain and all of a sudden … it developed," he said.
Grazier Rob Pearce received 50mm south of Broken Hill. (ABC News: Will Hunter)
"We ended up with 50mm over the house, which was just unbelievable."
While follow-up rain is needed over the coming months, Rob said this rain would provide graziers with a fresh sense of optimism.
"The biggest thing is that it gives you hope and makes you feel good,"he said.
"You can go into Christmas thinking 'gee we've had a nice bit of rain'. [Let's] look for 2026 and see what happens moving forward."
Mr Pearce said he was hopeful anyone who missed out on rain would receive it the next time around.
"It's disappointing for people that miss out," he said.
"We've missed out plenty of times before but at least if it's about and it's only 10 mile or five mile away, at least it's getting closer."