Rainfall deficiencies continue in NSW and southern Queensland

For the 4-month period from January to April, serious to severe rainfall deficiencies have developed over an area of eastern Queensland near and to the west of the Great Dividing Range, stretching from near Moranbah to around Gympie. Serious to severe rainfall deficiencies have also developed along the NSW coast south of Sydney, over an area of inland south-central NSW centred on Grenfell, and some small areas in far southwest Queensland and adjacent northwest NSW.

Above-normal April rainfall has eliminated short-term rainfall deficiencies in northern and central Tasmania, except for a small area in the far northeast. April rains have also removed small areas of rainfall deficiencies that had existed in northern South Australia and the southern Northern Territory.

For the 7-month period from October to April, serious rainfall deficiencies, with patches of severe deficiencies, affect substantial areas in far southwest Queensland and adjacent far northwest NSW. The dry conditions have been exacerbated by very much above average to record high temperatures, particularly during the summer. Deficiencies in the Mackay area have been eliminated by April rainfall.

Above-normal rainfall in April has eliminated nearly all longer-term rainfall deficiencies that had existed in southern Victoria for the period commencing in April 2005. This period is no longer being monitored.