Issued 7 March 2002
Rainfall deficiencies persist in WA, NSW, Victoria and SA
The Bureau of Meteorology announced today that very much above average rainfall in February across southern N.S.W. and much of the northwest coast of W.A. caused a contraction in existing rainfall deficiencies in those states. Deficiencies in the Top End of the Northern Territory were removed by the February falls.
4-month rainfall deficiencies
The heavy February falls removed the deficiencies in those parts of W.A. between Port Hedland and Wyndham in the State's north. Further down the coast, February totals were below to very much below average, and serious to severe deficiencies exist for the area between Carnarvon and Port Hedland for the period November to February. In one part of this area, the 4-month rainfall has been lowest on record. The issue of rainfall deficits in southern W.A. will be re-examined at the end of autumn.
High February rainfall removed the deficiencies around Canberra and caused a contraction in the deficiencies in northwest N.S.W. Serious to severe deficiencies around the N.S.W./S.A./Victoria border region expanded however, and a new area of serious deficiencies has appeared around Coolangatta/Tweed Heads on the Queensland/N.S.W. border.
Click on the map for larger view
Black and white | High resolution colour
