The weather can quite often dominate conversations in Lismore and the Northern Rivers; however, not to the extent that it has in the last three weeks.

We are used to seeing a lot of rain dumped in our backyard, then blue skies return, and life goes on. But the rainfall numbers in 2025 tell a different story.

Already this year, Lismore has recorded 1,155mm at the airport. The Lismore mean rainfall for 12 months is 1,244.5mm, so we have nearly received our yearly rainfall in the first five months of the year.

That is a long way from the wettest year on record in Lismore, which was 2,213mm in 1893. However, it is worth mentioning that rain gauges stopped working during the 2022 floods.

With the BOM forecasting 3-25mm today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday), plus more lower falls next week, that scenario is highly likely.

The BOM's Dean Narramore says an inland trough from Queensland and more southwesterly winds later this morning will bring moderate falls to the Northern Rivers. There is a chance of a thunderstorm over the next three days.

As far as May is concerned, Lismore has smashed the mean rainfall of 68.8mm already. To May 14, we have recorded 107mm, with only three days with less than 1mm.

The upcoming rain is not welcome news for the organisers of three of the region's biggest events: Primex, Gemfest and Beef Week.

Primex opens its gates at the Richmond Valley Events Centre in Casino at 9am today (Thursday), running until 4pm Saturday.

Gemfest at the Lismore Showgrounds gets underway at 9am on Saturday and runs until 3pm Sunday.

Casino Beef Week doesn't start until Saturday, May 24, but already the Farm Tour, Youth Cattle Program and Youth Education Day Events have been cancelled.

Whatever the weather, it is important that we support local events, so don a raincoat, put on some boots and pop the umbrella in the car.