Graziers across outback Queensland are welcoming a "remarkable" wet start to spring, with some properties recording close to 70 millimetres in a 24-hour period.
Storms rolled in across the west on Monday, bringing damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall and even hail during what's typically the state's driest month.
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) forecaster Brooke Pagel said the storm cell was unusual for late August.
"We don't normally get these systems in winter, even though spring is a couple of days away," she said.
Boulia, in the Channel Country, recorded more than 40mm in a 24-hour period.
Winton in the north-west saw totals of 69mm, while further south, Longreach and Muttaburra received about 40mm.
Boulia Shire Mayor Rick Britton said the rainfall was unheard of for this time of year.
"With this sort of start, ya gotta have a lemon for breakfast to take the silly grin off your face," he said.
While many properties have recorded some of their wettest months on record this year, Mr Britton says some have missed out.
"Hopefully those people that have been missing out do get a start – it's a good foundation," he said.
"You know the old saying: When you get the good season, you'll be able to hear it grow."
[Clouds over Windorah]
La Niña driving 'uncommon' storms
The BOM said excessive moisture and La Niña was driving the "uncommon" weather.
"That's triggering much of the moisture being brought into central Queensland," Ms Pagel said.
"It's quite unusual to have these severe storms.
"Usually you need a lot of heat in the atmosphere to trigger thunderstorm development and we haven't had much heat, it's been a really cold winter."
Mount Isa, Longreach and Charleville are forecast to receive more rainfall throughout the week.
Graziers across the region are rejoicing over the promising start to spring.
Louise Martin from MacFarlane Station in Tambo said the last time her property received late August rain was more than seven years ago.
She says it has been a wonderful reprieve from prolonged drought.
"The last time we had this story of rain at this time of year was in 2016," the sheep grazier said.
Her property recorded 43mm in the past 24 hours.
"We've just had a fantastic season," she said.
"This will re-fill the sub-soil moisture and, as soon as it warms up, the grass will be growing.
"We've had a lot of frost this winter, so our buffel [grass] is pretty damaged from that, but our stock are in marvellous condition."
Rain brews hope
Cattle grazier George Scott said the 42mm he received on his Quilpie property in the south-west was "remarkable".
"I've been connected to this part of the world for 50-odd years … [In] August and September you can bank on it that you're not going to get any rain," he said.
Mr Scott said the "high-value" rainfall would likely last him through to summer.
"It will keep our cattle powering on in terms of weight gains and livestock performance," Mr Scott said.
"Typically our herbage is starting to burn off this time of year, but we'll get another month out of that.
"It means a lot to us in terms of being able to confidently go forward and carry on without thinking about what we might do if we don't get an early break."
The downpour was also a welcome surprise for graziers who'd been grappling with previously dry conditions.
"To be at the end of August and seeing a fall like that, in the way it's come, is very welcome, especially with the season that we're having," said Sophie Elliott.
Ms Elliott runs Mount Campbell Station at Winton and says the rain has been "very out of the blue".
She said the 56mm her property received would be "one for the books".
"[The] majority of the last decade has been incredibly dry and last summer we completely missed out on rain," she said.
"To have this follow up … it gives you a sense of hope again."
George Swanson from Connemara Station near Augathella said the rain was perfectly timed.
"Late winter rain is just fantastic now we are out of the risk of frost," he said.
"[This is] more than we could wish for, and the frogs are happy too."
Road closure confusion
While the rainfall is a promising start to the season for graziers, the falls have caused some disruption.
Upwards of 450 motorists taking part in the annual Birdsville Races were stopped in their tracks when the weather swept through.
Several roads in the Barcoo Shire were temporarily or partially closed, including the Windorah to Birdsville route.
The closures left some tourists who were travelling to the variety bash event stranded and confused.
Windorah Police senior constable Rob Edwards urged caution.
"Travellers should keep an eye on the road reports in the Barcoo and Diamantina Shire," he said.
"We are expecting some rain so that may play havoc with the roads."
