If you’ve been dodging downpours, juggling umbrellas, and wondering whether to build an ark — you’re not imagining things. Ballina has had a very soggy start to 2025.

Another wet weekend is on the cards, and yes, it has felt like it’s been raining forever. But according to long-term data, we’re actually not straying too far from the norm.

Since digitised records began in 1992, Ballina has seen its fair share of rainfall. And so far this year, we’re on track for an above-average, but not record-breaking, total.

By the end of May, the town is tracking toward a total of around 1030mm — not much above the 971mm long-term average for the first five months of the year.

More Than Every Second Day’s Been Wet

It’s not just the volume of rain — it’s how often it’s falling. So far this year, 87 days have been rainy, which means the sun’s been absent 58 percent of the time.

February and March are typically Ballina’s wettest months, each averaging well over 200mm, while the dry season hits in August and September, with averages of 81.1mm and 72.5mm respectively.

May can be a wild card. The wettest May on record saw 480.8mm in 1996, while the driest, in 2006, delivered just 10.6mm — a month that had everyone reaching for the garden hose.

As for dry spells? The longest stretch without rain was back in August 2017, when the skies stayed shut for 35 consecutive days.

Forecast: Showers Easing, Sunshine Ahead

This weekend will stay damp, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Showers should begin to ease on Sunday, and Tuesday looks like your best shot for laundry day.

The rest of the week holds scattered showers, but the good news is clearer skies are forecast heading into next weekend.

So keep your brolly handy — but don’t lose hope. Dry days are on the way.