Issued 3 December 2002
Rainfall deficiencies worsen in east
The Bureau of Meteorology announced today that rainfall deficiencies in the eastern states have intensified following another dry month. In contrast, average to above average November rainfall across much of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory has brought some relief to central and northwestern parts of the continent. There has been little change to the deficiencies in southern parts of WA.
8-month rainfall deficiencies
For the eight-month period from April to November, serious to severe rainfall deficiencies cover about half of Victoria and most of Queensland and New South Wales. These deficiencies have expanded into northern Queensland. Much of inland South Australia also remains affected, but a wide area around Alice Springs is no longer experiencing serious rainfall deficiencies. Some parts of the southwest of WA are affected for the third successive year.
Pockets of lowest on record totals for the April to November period, in a record dating back to 1900, are scattered across the east and southwest of the country. Some of the more noteworthy areas include a large area between Longreach and Mt Isa in western Queensland and an area between Birdsville (southwest Queensland) and Bourke (northwest New South Wales).
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12-month rainfall deficiencies
For the twelve-month period from December to November, some additional areas around Cairns and Cooktown in far north Queensland, and along the coast from Mackay to Grafton have experienced serious to severe rainfall deficiencies.
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