The last wet season which was wetter up to this date was 1996/1997, when more than 1100mm had fallen.

Heavy showers Tuesday night brought 85mm. Nearby Humpty Doo picked up 160mm, their heaviest rain in two years.

Already this month Darwin has exceeded its average monthly rainfall of 420mm with help from rain every day since December 27th.

Lengthy dry spells have been very limited during the last five weeks, there have only been three dry days in that time, according to the airport site records.

Only another 150mm is required by the end of February to reach the three-month average of 1030mm, and that is highly likely.

During the next few days further heavy showers and storms may bring another 100mm or more.

There will be an easing of rain this weekend as the monsoon trough moves north of the Top End, taking the heaviest falls offshore.

For Darwin and most of the Top End it will mean a return to afternoon and evening showers and storms.