Rainfall Update

For the week to 3 November 2020, rainfall was recorded in the Kimberley and much of the the south-western half of Western Australia; in parts of the Top End in the Northern Territory; in the Cape York Peninsula, and from the central to south-east coast and adjacent inland districts of Queensland. Rainfall was also reported across most of New South Wales except in the north-west; across most of Victoria, Tasmania and south-east South Australia.

At the start of the week, a trough extended from central Western Australia to the Top End in the northern Territory, and crossed inland eastern Queensland, towards a low in central New South Wales. Thunderstorms produced moderate falls across the Kimberley, the north-west Top End, central to south-east Queensland and parts of central to eastern New South Wales. Light to moderate falls were also reported over eastern Victoria.

In the middle of the week, a cold front and associated low pressure system tracked over south-east South Australia, north-west Victoria, then central New South Wales. Moderate falls were recorded over parts of south-east South Australia, south-west New South Wales, and north-west Victoria. The cold front moved across New South Wales and southern Queensland, connecting to the slow-moving low pressure system over central New South Wales. Further moderate falls were reported over south-west and south-east New South Wales, with light falls across northern Tasmania, eastern Victoria and remaining parts of the southern half of New South Wales.

Severe thunderstorms developed over south-east Queensland on the afternoon of the 31st, with giant hail reported across parts of western and southern Brisbane. Moderate falls were reported over south-east Queensland and far north-east New South Wales, associated with the passage of the storms.

The complex low pressure system was located just off the New South Wales south coast, and deepened in response to an active upper-level trough, generating moderate falls about the south-east coast of New South Wales, with locally heavier falls around Moruya Heads.

Showers and storms also developed along and near a surface trough located over north-western and northern Australia, with moderate falls reported in parts of the Pilbara coast and the Kimberley in Western Australia, and the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland.

In the last part of the week in the west, a cold front and pre-frontal trough generated an extensive cloud band with embedded thunderstorms as the system tracked across the west and south of Western Australia. A deep trough extended from the inland Gascoyne and the Goldfields, while a complex low moved through the South West Land Division. Widespread moderate falls were reported across the most of the South West Land Division, southern Gascoyne, Goldfields districts.

Rainfall totals in excess of 150 mm were reported in the South Coast District, including the highest weekly total of 256 mm at Moruya (Plumwood).

Rainfall totals exceeding 100 mm were recorded in south-east Queensland and along the Illawarra and south-east coasts of New South Wales.

Rainfall totals exceeding 50 mm were recorded in south-east Queensland, along parts of the north-east and south-east coasts of New South Wales, and isolated parts in the south-west Western Australia.

Rainfall totals between 10 mm and 50 mm were recorded in the Kimberley and across most of the South West Land Division in Western Australia, in the north-west and northern Top End in the Northern Territory, in the Cape York Peninsula and from central to south-east Queensland and most of New South Wales except in the north-west. Similar totals were reported in north-west and eastern Victoria, an area in northern Tasmania, and parts of south-east South Australia.

Impact of recent rainfall on deficits

Rainfall deficits over Australia for the 6-month (April–September 2020) period is discussed in the Drought Statement, which was  issued on 7 October 2020.

Rainfall deficit maps are available for this period as well as for standard periods. The map below show the percentage of mean rainfall that has been received for the rainfall deficit period for the 7-month period, extended to the week ending 3 November 2020.

Rainfall for the period 1 April to 3 November 2020

Serious or severe rainfall deficiencies for this period are in place in Western Australia across most of the southern half of the State, excluding parts of the coast in the Gascoyne, Central West, and South Coastal districts. Deficiencies have increased in severity in Western Australia, with some inland areas showing lowest-on-record rainfall for the period. Serious rainfall deficiencies are also affecting scattered pockets in greater south-east Queensland.

Rainfall in the last week has eased deficiencies in parts of south-east Queensland and eased slightly in the southern Goldfields in Western Australia.

Inland areas of Western Australia have generally received less than 20% their average for the period, while remaining areas in Western Australia and areas in south-east Queensland and have generally received less than 80 % to 40% of their average for the period.