The tipping bucket rain gauge at an automated weather station in Nadarivatu, Ba recorded an astounding 524.5mm of rainfall from 9am 8th January to 9am 9th January during TC Cody this year which is the highest ever recorded since its installation in 2008.
The precipitation event was the result of the passage of Tropical Cyclone Cody as it passed to the southwest of Fiji.
The highest rainfall record was verified using several methods.
The Fiji Meteorological Service says data obtained from the rain gauge showed that there was 22 hours of continuous rainfall from 9am 8th January to 7am 9th January where one of the 10-minute rainfall measurements even recorded up to 12mm.
They say the heavy flow of water and increased water-level at the Nadarivatu Dam was also an indication of very high rainfall rates.
The rainfall record was also verified using the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Real-time Rainfall Watch website for real-time rainfall monitoring and the satellite images confirmed that a very high reflectivity spiral rain band was present over the Nadarivatu area for a long time.
Fiji Met says there were a number of rainfall stations that also recorded significant 24-hour rainfall of more than 200mm during that time.
