Rainfall Update

For the week to 1 June 2021, rainfall was mostly recorded from the Pilbara down to the Eucla District of Western Australia, south-east South Australia, most of Victoria and Tasmania. Rainfall was also recorded in southern inland and elevated areas of the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales, the north tropical and north-east coast of Queensland, and small areas of coastal Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

At the start of the week, a strong cold front and pre-frontal trough tracked across south-east Australia, generating moderate falls across western and northern Victoria, inland south-eastern parts of New South Wales and northern Tasmania. Widespread light falls were recorded across southern South Australia, southern New South Wales, remaining areas of Victoria and southern Tasmania. A pair of surface troughs followed the passage of the cold front, and brought further moderate falls to western Tasmania, and areas of southern coastal Victoria.

From the 29th, a strong cold front and trough, and associated low pressure system approached south-west Western Australia. The system crossed the coast and brought moderate falls to the western Gascoyne and the western South West Land Division. Widespread moderate falls were recorded from the Pilbara to the South East Coastal District the following day, as the cold front tracked eastwards across Western Australia. Daily rainfall totals in excess of 50 mm were recorded in pockets of the Pilbara and western Gascoyne districts.

The low moved slowly eastwards, and was located just south of the south-east coastline of Western Australia by the end of the week. Moderate falls were recorded in south-west and along the west coast of Western Australia, and light to moderate falls were recorded across the southern coast of that state.

Moist onshore flow brought showers and moderate falls to the north tropical coast of Queensland during the week.

Rainfall totals in excess of 100 mm were reported in a small area of the South Coast District in Western Australia, including the highest weekly total of 119 mm at Kimberley.

Rainfall totals in excess of 50 mm were recorded in areas along the south-west coast of Western Australia, elevated areas of north-eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales, and in parts of western Tasmania.

Rainfall totals between 10 mm and 50 mm were recorded from the Pilbara to the South East Coastal district of Western Australia, south-east South Australia, most of Victoria, western and northern Tasmania, southern inland areas of New South Wales, and the north tropical coast of Queensland.

Impact of recent rainfall on deficits

Rainfall deficits over Australia for the 13-month (April 2020–April 2021) period are discussed in the Drought Statement, issued on 6 May 2021.

Rainfall deficit maps are available for this period as well as for standard periods. The map below shows the percentage of mean rainfall that has been received for the period starting April 2020 and extended to the week ending 1 June 2021.

Rainfall for the period 1 April 2020 to 1 June 2021

Serious or severe rainfall deficiencies for the period starting April 2020 remain in the Capricornia and Wide Bay and Burnett districts in Queensland, and in an area of the Goldfields District in Western Australia.

Rainfall in the past week eased rainfall deficiencies in parts of the Goldfields District in Western Australia but had little impact on deficiencies elsewhere.

Affected areas in the Goldfields in Western Australia have received less than 50% to 60% of their average for the period. Queensland's Capricornia and Wide Bay and Burnett districts have generally received less than 60% to 70% of their average for the period.