Bureau of Meteorology - Services for Agriculture Brochure

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SERVICES FOR AGRICULTURE IN
NEW SOUTH WALES AND
THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Access weather and climate information by:

Internet -

http://www.bom.gov.au for the web home page
http://www.bom.gov.au/silo for meteorological information for rural industries
http://www.bom.gov.au/silo/products/Meteograms.shtml for computer weather guidance for a specific location (by subscription)

Weather by Fax -

Online Directory
National Quick Reference Directory 1800 630 100
National Detailed Directory 1800 061 440
NSW and ACT Quick Reference Directory 1800 061 439
NSW and ACT Detailed Directory 1902 935 849

Telephone Weather Services -

Online Directory
National Telephone Weather Services Directory 1900 926 113
NSW Full State Service 1900 955 361
ACT Services 1900 955 362
NSW Country Service 1900 926 102

Telephone Weather Services Call Charges:
1900 numbers: 77c per minute incl. GST; 1300 numbers: Low call cost - around 27.5c incl. GST.
(More from international, satellite, mobile or public phones)

Other telephone weather services are listed under "Bureau of Meteorology" in the telephone directory.

1. GENERAL FORECASTS AND WARNINGS

These are provided to radio, television and the newspapers and can be accessed electronically (see Section 5 for details).
Products include:

State forecasts - summary forecasts for New South Wales for about the next 24 hours, issued three times daily.

District forecasts and outlooks - more detailed forecasts for about 24 hours ahead and brief outlooks for the next 3 days for each forecast district and combinations of districts, issued two or three times daily. Temperature forecasts and brief weather forecasts for several provincial centres in each district (see map) are included on the early morning and late afternoon issues. District boundaries are shown on the map.

Provincial city forecasts - Twice daily forecasts are issued for selected cities for up to 40 hours, including maximum and minimum temperatures. These cities are shown on the map.

Thunderstorm forecasts - During the summer half of the year a map of NSW and the ACT is issued each morning showing where thunderstorms are expected that day. (Available only on Weather by Fax)

Forecast weather charts - issued twice each day with a commentary by the senior forecaster. (Available only on Weather by Fax)

Warnings - forecasts of hazardous weather, usually for the next 12 to 24 hours, including:
*	floods (warnings of minor, moderate or major flooding for most river basins)
*	fire weather(conditions favourable for the generation and rapid spread of bush fires)
*	gales (wind greater than 63 km/h)
*	severe thunderstorms (damaging wind gusts, large hail, very heavy rain or tornadoes), confined to areas of radar coverage

2. AGRICULTURAL FORECASTS, WARNINGS AND SERVICES

Direct radio broadcasts
*	on weekdays between 12noon and 12.30pm over ABC Country Hour (NSW forecasts and further outlooks)
*	on weekdays at 10.15am and 4.15pm over 2UE Rural Network (East Australian forecasts and further outlooks)

The Seasonal Climate Outlook.
*	provides monthly detailed updates on El Niño indicators (including a six month El Niño outlook)
*	gives an outlook on rainfall and temperatures for the next three months for all regions in Australia
*	can be obtained through subscription - Phone (03) 9669 4603 for details OR
*	through Weather by Fax on 1902 935 251 (rainfall) OR
*	through WeatherCall (Voice) Services on 1900 926 162 OR
*	on the Internet at http://www.bom.gov.au/silo/products/SClimate.shtml

Warnings for sheep farmers.
*	a warning of cold, wet and windy conditions when newly born lambs and newly shorn sheep will be at risk
*	based on results from field experiments relating chill factor to wind speed, rainfall and temperature values
*	issued year round.

Forecasts for cane firing
*	wind forecasts are prepared daily for the Tweed, Richmond and Clarence valleys
*	issued June to December inclusive

New services.
*	the Bureau is happy to discuss enhancing its weather and climate services to meet the needs of agricultural industries
Contact: Supervising Meteorologist, Phone (02) 9296 1528

3. GENERAL INFORMATION ON RECENT WEATHER

The following can be obtained on subscription:

Bulletins - Daily weather bulletin (observations from about 118 weather stations). Contents:
*	maximum and minimum temperatures
*	rainfall amount over the previous 24 hours
*	9 a.m. temperature, dewpoint, cloud amount, winds speed and direction, and sea state
Daily, weekly, monthly and annual rainfall bulletins are also available
River Height Bulletin also available (see Section 8 for details)

Monthly Weather Review, NSW/ACT - Available by about the end of the following month. Contents:
*	rainfall - district averages, monthly totals at selected stations, daily totals at selected stations
*	temperature data at selected stations
*	evaporation and sunshine data
*	list of occurrences of weather phenomena
*	irrigation and hydroelectric stored water
*	Sydney and Canberra - observations summaries
*	maps - daily weather, monthly rainfall (both isohyets and decile ranges), departures from normal temperatures (maximum and minimum)
*	summary of normal conditions for the month ahead (e.g. January MWR contains March summary)

Daily Synoptic Weather Chart (Australia)

Monthly Rainfall Review and Drought Review (Australia)
*	focus on recent rainfall

(For details of current subscription rates, Phone (02) 9296 1546 or Fax (02) 9296 1556)

4. OTHER PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND INFORMATION

Bureau Publications
*	A catalogue of ALL Bureau of Meteorology publications is available free of charge
Contact: The Sydney Office or The Publications Section of the Bureau of Meteorology on (03) 9669 4312

National Benchmark Network for Agrometeorology
*	a project of the National Committee for Agrometeorology
*	a network of about 190 observing stations, many of which are Automatic Weather Stations, chosen to provide data in areas important to agriculture
*	a subset of the Bureau's observational network
*	instrumented with sensors specific to the requirements of agriculture
*	being progressively implemented
Contact: Services Policy Branch, Phone (03) 9669 4705

The following products and services will incur a charge:

*	FARMWEATHER
	- detailed forecasts directed to specific agricultural sectors for four days and beyond for key locations - a fax service for more effective farm planning
		- Haystacks	1902 935 375
		- Cottonfields	1902 935 376
		- Stock And Grain	1902 935 377
		- Vineyards	1902 935 378
	- Free fax 1800 061 404 for further details
Contact: New South Wales Special Services Unit, Phone (02) 9296 1563 Fax:(02) 9211 5287


*	RAINMAN
	- RAinfall INformation for better MANagement - a software package developed by the Queensland Department of Primary Industry (QDPI) using data supplied by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) - designed as a management tool where activities are significantly affected by rainfall - provides information about the probability of a certain amount of rain occurring at a particular time, thus making it easier to plan such operations as planting and harvesting - based upon the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), linked to the broadscale weather pattern over Australia - contains rainfall records for almost 4,000 locations Australia-wide from the beginning of recorded observations - has the facility for users to enter their own rainfall data to allow examination of the effects of the SOI on rainfall probabilities at their own location - accompanying booklet Will It Rain provides explanations of the El Niño phenomenon and other aspects of Australia's climate - regular updates available
Contact: Special Services Unit, Phone (03) 9669 4994

*	real-time New South Wales rain and weather data and climatological data, including secondary data (means, medians etc) and tertiary data (deciles, cumulative frequencies, length of growing period, wind-frequency analyses etc) - available in various formats
*	climate surveys and other consultative services including professional analysis of complex data for New South Wales
*	weather charts and the latest satellite imagery over fax
*	direct access to Automatic Weather Station data
Contact: The New South Walses Climate and Consultative Services Section, Phone (02) 269 8555

*	Farming a Sunburnt Country
	- an award winning, 35 minute video and manual on El Niño and drought - 'Managing Australia's variable climate' is just one of the topics - compered by Neil Inall - contains interviews with farmers and scientists - $21.95 inc GST (2000 price)
Available from: Bureau of Meteorology, Climate Analysis, Phone (03) 9669 4072.

5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ACCESS AND DELIVERY METHODS

Internet
*	the Bureau of Meteorology Internet home page is http://www.bom.gov.au - many different products available including forecasts, charts, satellite pictures, climatic information - included in this suite of products is:
*	SILO - a specialised Internet web site jointly administered by the Bureau of Meteorology and QDPI - accessible from BoM home page viz. http://www.bom.gov.au/silo - provides a large selection of meteorological and agricultural information (much of which is cost free) relevant to anyone in the agricultural arena

Weather by Fax

a polled facsimile information service providing access to more than 150 services
- includes forecasts, warnings, the Seasonal Climate Outlook, satellite pictures, charts, bulletins,information on Bureau products, pamphlets and other relevant information

National Quick Reference Directory (1800 630 100) contains:
- general information relating to the Weather by Fax service, including advices of new services,details of other sub-directories and services, hints and guidance on using the Weather by Fax service, and a listing of contact telephone and fax numbers for gaining further information and assistance
- updated monthly

National Detailed Directory (1800 061 440) contains:
- pollfax numbers for satellite pictures, weather charts, marine forecasts and information, national services and advices

NSW and ACT Quick Reference Directory (1800 061 439) contains:
- pollfax numbers for an increasing number of forecasts, warnings and products pertaining to the State and the ACT

Telephone Weather Services

provides up-to-date recorded forecasts by telephone using Telstra's 1900 system. (1900 numbers are mainly collectives, that is, the state numbers allow access to the metropolitan, marine, country and capital city temperature services for that state through a single entry number

National Telephone Weather Services Directory (1900 926 113) gives 1900 services for all states through a single number OR

poll Weather by Fax on 1902 935 254 for a list of all Telephone Weather Services

key WeatherCall numbers:
- a three month rainfall outlook (a seasonal rainfall forecast comparing expected rainfall with average rainfall). Phone 1900 926 162
- forecasts for country New South Wales which includes provincial city forecasts. Phone 1900 955 361 (other services are also accessed via this number)
- forecasts, warnings and Automatic Weather Station (AWS) information for the ACT. Phone 1900 955 362

7. AN OVERVIEW OF THE CLIMATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES

The climate of New South Wales ranges from the mild coastal strip, inland ranges with winter snowfalls to the drier inland plains of the west of the state. The climate is generally equable and mostly free from extremes of heat and cold, however very high temperatures can occur in the north-west and very cold temperatures on the southern tablelands. Maximum temperatures reach mid 30°C's in summer falling to mid-teens and below in winter. Winter snowfalls and cooler temperatures are experienced over the ranges.

Annual median rainfall along the coastal strip ranges of over 800 millimetres in the south to over 1600 millimetres in the far north. On the Western Slopes the rainfall gradually decreases, together with the frequency of winter snowfalls. Further to the west the land slowly flattens out to the dry inland plains, marked by cold nights. It is in the far north west where the hottest temperatures in the state most commonly occur during summer, and where the annual mean rainfall drops below 150 millimetres. The region west of a line Bourke to Mildura is classified as arid, with the median rainfall being less than 250 millimetres. Protracted periods of dry weather in one part or another of the State are not uncommon, but simultaneous drought over the whole State has been experienced only very rarely.

8. HYDROLOGICAL SERVICES IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Flood Warning Service
*	warnings contain information about the likelihood of flooding and its possible impacts and are designed to protect life and reduce the damaging impacts of floods
*	this service is provided by the Bureau working in close cooperation with the NSW State Emergency Service and local authorities
*	these warnings can assist those in the agricultural industry by providing time to allow stock to be moved to higher ground, for the removal of irrigation pumps from rivers or for temporary floodproofing measures
*	flood warnings are available through the media as well as the Weather by Fax service (includes the ACT) and the Bureau's Internet home page
*	flood warnings are issued for most rivers in New South Wales
Contact (for further details of services provided for your area): The Hydrology Section, New South Wales Regional Office, Phone (02) 9296 1511

River Height Bulletins
*	part of the flood warning service
*	issued daily for over 170 locations and storages on NSW rivers, with information on: - river heights and major reservoir contents at 9 am - the change since the last reading - the level at which minor flooding occurs

For information about:
*	Rainfall Intensity-Frequency-Duration (IFD) information for any Australian location. - useful in many applications including the design of drainage systems, small dams, etc.
Contact: Either the Hydrology Section, New South Wales Regional Office, Phone (02) 9296 1511 or the Head Office Hydrometeorological Advisory Service, Phone (03) 9669 4609 or Fax *(03) 9669 4725*

BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY OFFICES IN NEW SOUTH WALES

For further information on the products and services outlined in this brochure write to:
	Regional Director, Bureau of Meteorology, GPO Box A737, Sydney South, NSW 2000

Alternatively you may phone or fax the office
	Phone (02) 9296 1555 Fax (02) 9296 1567 or (02) 9296 1506

Advice and services are also available from:
	Meteorological Office, Canberra Phone (02) 6247 0411 Fax (02) 6257 2275

Limited advice and services are also available from:
	Meteorological Office, Wagga Phone (02) 6921 3185 Fax (02) 6921 8345

	Meteorological Office, Coffs Harbour Phone (02) 6652 3485 Fax (02) 6652 5240

	Meteorological Office, Cobar Phone (02) 6836 2149 Fax (02) 6836 1284

	Meteorological Office, Moree Phone (02) 6752 1655 Fax (02) 6752 5451

HEAD OFFICE OF THE BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY

	The Director Bureau of Meteorology GPO Box 1289K Melbourne, VIC 3001

	Phone (03) 9669 4000

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