Drought history
Rainfall deficiencies and water availability

Earlier Drought Statement archive

1. 2016

   1. 4 August Continued reduction in rainfall deficiencies following a wet July
   2. 7 July A wet June further eases rainfall deficiencies
   3. 7 June Rainfall deficiencies continue in some areas
   4. 5 May April rainfall affects deficiencies in some areas
   5. 8 April March rainfall reduces deficiencies in some areas
   6. 8 March February rainfall has some effect on rainfall deficiencies
   7. 5 February January rainfall has some effect on rainfall deficiencies
   8. 8 January December rainfall has little impact on rainfall deficiencies

2. 2015

   1. 04 December Generally little change to rainfall deficiencies following mixed November rainfall
   2. 05 November Deficiencies expand in the southeast following a very dry October
   3. 07 October A dry September sees deficiencies persist or slightly increase
   4. 04 September Deficiencies increase to cover much of Victoria, generally little change elsewhere
   5. 05 August Deficiencies increase slightly in the east, develop in southwest Western Australia
   6. 03 July June rain brings little relief to the north, deficiencies worsen in Victoria and southeast South Australia
   7. 03 June Victorian situation worsens
   8. 06 May A dry finish to the northern wet season increases deficiencies in northern Australia
   9. 08 April Rainfall deficiencies continue after drier-than-average month for much of South Australia and the east
   10. 04 March Below-average rainfall increases deficiencies in eastern Australia
   11. 05 February Rain brings some relief in Queensland, reduces deficiencies in northwestern Victoria
   12. 07 January Some relief on the east coast, rainfall deficiencies increase in western Victoria and southeast South Australia

3. 2014

   1. 03 December Rainfall deficiencies generally increase across eastern Australia
   2. 06 November Rainfall deficiencies worsen in southeast Australia
   3. 06 October Rainfall deficiencies worsen in Victoria and Tasmania
   4. 05 September Rainfall deficiencies ease in central eastern Australia, worsen in the south and west
   5. 07 August Rainfall deficiencies increase in Queensland and northeastern New South Wales
   6. 08 July Rainfall deficiencies continue in Queensland and northeastern New South Wales
   7. 04 June Rainfall deficiencies remain in Queensland, emerging in northeastern New South Wales and the southeast
   8. 07 May Rainfall deficiencies remain in Queensland and northeastern New South Wales
   9. 04 April Rainfall deficiencies remain in Queensland and New South Wales, easing slightly in the inland east
   10. 05 March Rainfall deficiencies continue in eastern Australia despite easing in western Queensland
   11. 04 February Rainfall deficiencies increase in Queensland and adjacent New South Wales and South Australia
   12. 08 January Rainfall deficiencies increase in Queensland and northern New South Wales

4. 2013

   1. 05 December Rainfall deficiencies persist in eastern Australia
   2. 08 November Rainfall deficiencies continue in eastern Australia
   3. 03 October Rainfall deficiencies increase across Queensland
   4. 04 September Continued easing of rainfall deficiencies in the southeast, little change for Queensland
   5. 05 August Rainfall deficiencies ease in the southeast but continue in Queensland
   6. 03 July Rainfall deficiencies ease in New South Wales and South Australia; continue in Victoria, Tasmania and western Queensland
   7. 06 June Rainfall deficiencies continue in South Australia, Victoria and western Queensland
   8. 02 May Rainfall deficiencies continue and worsen in the southeast for shorter timescales
   9. 04 April Rainfall deficiencies decline in the centre and inland east
   10. 07 March Rainfall deficiencies worsen in inland Queensland, continue in the southeast
   11. 05 February Rainfall deficiencies expand in southern Australia, but ease along the east coast
   12. 04 January Rainfall deficiencies expand in eastern Australia

5. 2012

   1. 04 December Rainfall deficiencies contract in WA but continue in SA
   2. 07 November October rainfall lowest on record for southern Australia - deficiencies in WA and SA continue, expanding in NSW
   3. 02 October Rainfall deficiences continue in WA and SA
   4. 04 September Another dry month for Western Australia
   5. 03 August Record-dry July for SW Western Australia
   6. 06 July A dry start to winter for the Riverina, relief for western WA
   7. 06 June Dry conditions return to southwest WA
   8. 07 May No Drought Statement issued for May
   9. 05 April No Drought Statement issued for April
   10. 06 March No Drought Statement issued for March
   11. 02 February No Drought Statement issued for February
   12. 05 January No Drought Statement issued for January

6. 2011

   1. 05 December No Drought Statement issued for December
   2. 07 November No Drought Statement issued for November
   3. 04 October No Drought Statement issued for October
   4. 06 September Winter brings no relief to long-term rainfall deficiencies in southwest WA
   5. 03 August Long-term rainfall deficiencies persist in southwest WA
   6. 05 July Long-term dry conditions continue in southwest WA
   7. 06 June Dry conditions continue in southwest WA
   8. 04 May Mixed Rainfall in April 2011
   9. 06 April Wettest March on record but still dry in the southwest
   10. 03 March A wet summer, but deficiencies remain in southwest WA
   11. 07 February A wet January for southwest WA but deficiencies remain
   12. 07 January Driest year on record for southwest WA

7. 2010

   1. 06 December Australia's wettest spring but no relief for southwest WA
   2. 03 November Rainfall deficiencies persist in western WA
   3. 06 October Short-term deficits ease in Tasmania, but no relief for southwest WA
   4. 06 September A very dry year so far in southwest WA
   5. 04 August Short-term deficits remain over western WA
   6. 02 July Short-term deficits worsen over southwestern WA
   7. 03 June Dry start to the year for western WA and southern Tasmania
   8. 06 May Short-term deficits persist in Western Australia
   9. 08 April Short-term deficiencies eased in east but long-term rainfall deficits remain
   10. 04 March Rainfall deficits ease across eastern Australia but worsen in the west
   11. 05 February Wet-season rainfall eases deficits in northern and central Australia; deficits remain in parts of southeast Australia, southwest WA and southeast Queensland
   12. 05 January Deficiencies ease in northern and eastern Australia; longer-term deficits remain in parts of SE Australia

8. 2009

   1. 03 December Poor start to the northern wet season; longer-term deficits remain in parts of SE Australia
   2. 06 November Short-term rainfall deficiencies persist over southeast Queensland and the Riverina and Lower Western districts of NSW
   3. 06 October Short-term rainfall deficits develop over eastern Australia and ease slightly over parts of southern and central Australia
   4. 07 September Short-term deficits worsen over the south coast of NSW and over central and eastern Victoria
   5. 07 August Long-term rainfall deficiencies persist; some relief to short-term deficits over parts of southern Australia
   6. 06 July Very dry first half of the year for parts of southeast Australia
   7. 05 June A very dry start to the year for much of southeast and southwestern Australia
   8. 06 May Long-term rainfall deficiencies persist over southeastern Australia
   9. 06 April Long-term rainfall deficiencies persist over southeastern Australia
   10. 04 March A dry February for southeastern Australia
   11. 04 February Long-term rainfall deficiencies persist in southeastern Australia
   12. 06 January Short-term rainfall deficiencies ease over much of Australia

9. 2008

   1. 03 December Rainfall deficiencies ease over much of Australia
   2. 05 November Rainfall deficiencies expand in southeastern Australia
   3. 03 October Long and short-term rainfall deficiencies persist
   4. 03 September A dry autumn and winter over most of Australia
   5. 06 August Rainfall deficiencies persist over much of Australia
   6. 03 July Rainfall deficiencies persist over much of Australia
   7. 04 June A dry autumn over much of Australia
   8. 02 May Long and short-term rainfall deficiencies persist
   9. 02 April Short-term rainfall deficiencies expand in central Australia
   10. 04 March Short-term rainfall deficiencies develop in the southeast and central NT
   11. 05 February Long-term deficiencies remain in southern and eastern Australia
   12. 07 January Short-term deficiencies ease, long-term deficiencies remain

10. 2007

    1. 05 December Deficiencies ease following a wet November
    2. 02 November Another dry month for central and south-eastern Australia
    3. 04 October Rainfall deficits worsen following a dry September
    4. 04 September Very dry since late autumn in parts of southern Australia
    5. 03 August Most states still affected by rainfall deficiencies
    6. 04 July Another drier than average month in rainfall deficient areas
    7. 04 June Short Term Relief but Long Term Drought Persists
    8. 03 May Short Term Relief but Long Term Drought Persists
    9. 05 April Drought persists in western WA, southern SA & from Tasmania to SE Qld
    10. 06 March Drought persists in western WA, southern SA & from Tas to SE Qld
    11. 05 February Heavy rain eases drought, but deficits remain
    12. 04 January Driest year on record in parts of southern Australia

11. 2006

    1. 04 December Drought intensifies over eastern and southern Australia
    2. 03 November Drought intensifies over eastern and southern Australia as spring rains fail
    3. 04 October Rainfall deficiencies intensify in SA, NSW & Vic, but ease in WA
    4. 04 September Rainfall deficiencies spread following record dry August
    5. 02 August Rainfall deficiencies spread in western WA; ease in central and eastern Australia
    6. 04 July Rainfall deficiencies intensify in southwest WA and southeast Australia
    7. 02 June Rainfall deficiencies intensify and spread in eastern Australia
    8. 05 May Rainfall deficiencies continue in NSW and southern Queensland
    9. 04 April Rainfall deficiencies develop in eastern Australia
    10. 07 March Rainfall deficiencies persist in small areas of eastern Australia
    11. 03 February Rainfall Deficiencies persist in patches of eastern Australia
    12. 05 January Rainfall deficiencies persist in parts of eastern Australia

12. 2005

    1. 02 December Further easing of deficiencies in southern Queensland
    2. 03 November Rainfall Deficiencies ease in parts of Queensland, SA and Victoria
    3. 04 October Deficiencies persist in parts of eastern and central Australia
    4. 05 September Deficiencies eased or removed in far SE Australia
    5. 02 August Deficiencies persist in far SE Australia, ease in NW & central Australia
    6. 01 July June drenching brings welcome relief
    7. 02 June Rainfall Deficiencies spread as autumn rains fail
    8. 03 May Rainfall deficiencies develop in eastern & southern Australia
    9. 04 April Rainfall deficiencies expand in northwestern and central Australia
    10. 03 March Rainfall deficiencies intensify in northwest and central Australia
    11. 03 February Rainfall Deficiencies intensify in the NT and northern WA
    12. 07 January Rainfall Deficiencies develop in the NT and northern WA

13. 2004

    1. 02 December Rainfall Deficiencies removed in northeast NSW and southeast Queensland
    2. 03 November Rainfall Deficiencies removed along NSW coast and ranges
    3. 01 October Rainfall Deficiencies persist along east coast & in parts of inland southeast Australia
    4. 02 September Rainfall Deficiencies persist along east coast & in parts of inland southeast Australia
    5. 03 August Rainfall Deficiencies develop along east coast; persist in southeast inland
    6. 02 July Above average June rainfall eases rainfall deficiencies in parts of SE Australia
    7. 02 June Autumn rains fall; severe deficiencies widespread in the southeast
    8. 05 May Long-term rainfall deficiencies persist, mainly in the east
    9. 05 April Further relief in far north Qld, but deficiencies persist in other parts of E Aus.
    10. 02 March Some relief from long-term deficiencies in far north Queensland
    11. 03 February Heavy rain brings relief to Queensland and northern NSW
    12. 05 January Long-term rainfall deficiencies remain in parts of northern and eastern Australia

14. 2003

    1. 02 December Rainfall Deficiencies remain in parts of northern and eastern Australia
    2. 05 November Rainfall Deficiencies persist in northern and eastern Australia
    3. 02 October Rainfall Deficiencies persist in northern and eastern Australia
    4. 3 September August rain brings further relief to southern Australia
    5. 04 August July rain brings further relief to SE Australia
    6. 03 July Rainfall deficiencies persist in the south
    7. 04 June Autumn: Rainfall deficiencies develop over some southern parts.
    8. 07 May Rainfall deficiencies ease across northern NSW
    9. 04 April Rainfall deficiencies persist across many parts of the country
    10. 04 March Heavy February rain brings relief
    11. 04 February Rainfall Deficiencies intensify
    12. 07 January Rainfall Deficiencies persist in east and south

15. 2002

    1. 03 December Rainfall deficiencies worsen in east
    2. 01 November Rainfall Deficiencies worsen following a dry October
    3. 03 October Rainfall deficiencies persist in southern half of country
    4. 03 September Rainfall deficiencies persist in southern half of country
    5. 02 August Rainfall deficits worsen in eastern Australia
    6. 03 July Some relief but rainfall deficiencies remain widespread
    7. 06 June Rainfall deficiencies affect most states
    8. 07 May Rainfall deficiencies affect all States
    9. 05 April Rainfall deficiencies persist in WA, NSW, Queensland, Victoria and SA
    10. 07 March Rainfall deficiencies persist in WA, NSW, Victoria and SA
    11. 06 February Rainfall Deficiencies develop in northwest WA, northern NT & in NSW
    12. 07 January Rainfall Deficiencies continue in W.A. and eastern Queensland

16. 2001

    1. 07 December Rainfall Deficiencies ease in Queensland, persist in W.A.
    2. 05 November Rainfall Deficiencies ease in Victoria, persist in W.A. and Queensland
    3. 04 October Rainfall Deficiencies continue in W.A., Victoria and Queensland
    4. 05 September Deficiencies ease in SE Australia but remain in W.A.
    5. 02 August Winter rains relieve WA but bypass south-east Australia: Drought Statement
    6. 04 July Dry spell intensifies in southern WA - Drought Statement
    7. 06 June Seriously dry autumn hits parts of southern WA
    8. 03 May Further worsening of WA rainfall deficits
    9. 04 April March rains fail to ease WA, Queensland deficits
    10. 08 March Rain relief for some, but record dry in WA persists
    11. 08 February New year precipitation eases rainfall deficits
    12. 08 January Rainfall deficits persist in WA, Queensland

17. 2000

    1. 07 December Rainfall deficit still severe in parts of WA
    2. 08 November Rainfall deficits intensify in WA
    3. 06 October Rainfall deficits intensify in WA
    4. 08 September Record dry continues in southeast Australia
    5. 03 August Rainfall deficiencies expand in Qld, ease in southern Australia
    6. 11 July Rainfall deficiencies persist
    7. 06 June Heavy rain in SE Australia eases rainfall deficiencies
    8. 05 May Rainfall deficiencies spread in Tasmania, but ease in parts of Queensland
    9. 10 April Rainfall deficiencies expand in Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland
    10. 15 March Rainfall deficiencies expand in Victoria but contract in Queensland
    11. 07 February Rainfall deficiencies continue in Victoria and Tasmania
    12. 10 January Drought Statement: Rainfall deficiencies continue in Victoria and Tasmania

Related archives

• History archive of Special Climate Statements: More information on dry periods and extreme rain events.
• History archive of Climate Summaries: Monthly, seasonal and annual climate summaries for Australia, states and capital cities