Issued 6 June 2002
Rainfall deficiencies affect most states
The Bureau of Meteorology announced today that rainfall deficiencies continued in eastern Queensland, around the NSW/SA/Victoria border region and over Tasmania following widespread below to very much below average falls during May. Notably, some heavy rainfall recorded in eastern Queensland and northwest WA during first few days of June has brought some relief to those parts of the country. For the third successive year, rainfall deficiencies have developed in southwest WA.
6-month rainfall deficiencies
For the six-month period from December to May, a region of severe rainfall deficiency persists around the SA/NSW/Victorian border and into eastern SA. Rainfall deficiencies continue to affect the east coast in the sectors Cooktown to Townsville and Rockhampton to Grafton. Heavy rain in early June between Bundaberg and Rockhampton has brought some local relief. Also experiencing relief from heavy rain in early June was the area around Port Hedland in WA.
Click on the map for larger view
Black and white | High resolution colour
4-month rainfall deficiencies
For the four-month period from February to May, rainfall deficiencies persisted over most of Tasmania, much of southern South Australia, parts of western Victoria and southwest WA. Isolated areas in Tasmania, SA and WA registered record low rainfall. If the three months March to May are considered, the area of deficiency in southwest Victoria extends as far east as Geelong, and virtually all of Tasmania is affected.
Click on the map for larger view
Black and white | High resolution colour
