Drought Statement

MEDIA RELEASE - ISSUED 5th SEPTEMBER 2001 Statement on Drought for the 4, 6 & 9-month periods ending 31st August 2001 Deficiencies ease in SE Australia, remain in W.A. The Bureau of Meteorology announced today that above average August rainfall eased or eliminated short term rainfall deficiencies in southern Victoria. Further decent falls in parts of southern W.A. also helped to ease the situation, however large areas continued to experience significantly dry conditions. The first map below shows the regions in southern and western W.A. that have serious to severe deficiencies for the six-month period from March to August. In some places, totals were the lowest on record for this particular period. Much of this area also experienced rainfall deficiencies during the 2000 growing season as well. Above average falls in August gave more relief to the area near Esperance. Rainfall was above to very much above average in August across Tasmania and southern Victoria and this resulted in the removal of most of the deficiencies that had developed since May. However, much more rain is needed to make a strong impact on water storages that are severely depleted after nearly five years of generally below average rainfall. There was little change in the pattern of Queensland rainfall deficits which are largely a reflection of poor summer rains. For the nine months from December 2000 to August, serious to severe rainfall deficiencies exist in southern Queensland coastal districts from Marlborough to Gympie and in an adjoining area stretching from Roma to Gladstone. Rainfall deficiency maps for standard periods (3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months) are updated monthly on the Bureau's web site, at http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/silo/rain_maps.cgi . Note: The terms used to describe rainfall in these Drought Statements have the following meanings - Well below average - rainfalls in the lowest 10% of historical totals Below average - rainfalls in the lowest 30% of historical totals, but not in the lowest 10% Average - rainfalls in the middle 40% of historical totals Above average - rainfalls in the highest 30% of historical totals, but not in the highest 10% Well above average - rainfalls in the highest 10% of historical totals Serious deficiency - rainfalls in the lowest 10% of historical totals, but not in the lowest 5% Severe deficiency - rainfalls in the lowest 5% of historical totals Lowest on record - lowest since at least 1900 when the data analysed begin For more information regarding this rainfall deficiencies statement, please contact the following climate meteorologists during normal business hours (EST) Monday to Friday: Grant Beard on (03) 9669 4527 Robert Fawcett on (03) 9669 4603

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A black and white version is also available.


Click on the map for full resolution.
A black and white version is also available.


Click on the map for full resolution.
A black and white version is also available.