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Statement on Drought for the 12-month
period ending 31st March 2007
ISSUED 5th April 2007 by the National Climate Centre
Drought persists in western WA, southern SA & from Tasmania to SE Qld
Above average rainfall during March eased the severe dry conditions in parts
of alpine Victoria. Dry conditions also eased in parts of northeastern NSW,
but for the past twelve months,
rainfall deficiencies
remain evident in western WA, southern South Australia and across much of
Tasmania to southeast Queensland.
For the 12-month period from April 2006 to
March 2007, there are serious to severe rainfall deficiencies over
southern and eastern Australia in a broad arc extending across southern
SA, much of Victoria, much of southern NSW west of the Great Divide
(apart from far western areas), and a large part of southeast Queensland.
Northern and eastern parts of Tasmania were also affected as was WA west
of a line from around Exmouth, inland around 150-250 km and south to Bremer
Bay. Record low 12-month falls were recorded between Dalby and Goondiwindi
in southern Queensland, along much of WA’s west coast and Tasmania's
north coast, and in small patches from Melbourne to Canberra.
The worst of the deficiencies are likely to remain for some time. For
them to be removed by the end of June, for example, falls over the next
three months would need to be in the highest 10% of the historical record
in many areas.
In comparison with the situation for the twelve months to February, areas
of lowest rainfall on record shrank along and to the northwest of the
Australian Alps from Melbourne to Canberra. However, these areas still
remain in severe deficiency. Areas of lowest on record and severe deficiency
have increased in parts of western WA, particularly around Carnarvon.
The deficiencies discussed above have occurred against a backdrop of
multi-year rainfall deficits that have severely stressed water supplies
in the east and southwest of the country.
Rainfall
deficiency maps for standard periods out to three years are
available.
Note: The terms used to describe rainfall in these
Drought Statements have the following meanings -
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
Very much 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%
Very much above average
- rainfalls in the highest 10% of historical totals
For more information regarding this rainfall
deficiencies statement, please contact the following
climate meteorologists in the National Climate Centre:
David Jones on (03) 9669 4085
Lynette Bettio on (03) 9669 4165
External Sites Relating to Drought
The Bureau of Meteorology does not make formal drought declarations
as these are done by either the relevant State Governments or by the
Australian Government. The Australian Government Program is called
Exceptional Circumstances
and it is administered by the Federal Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). General information about Australian
Government drought assistance is available at
http://www.daff.gov.au/droughtassist.
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