Melbourne: Outlook for 2020 Account
as at 20 February 2020
- Rainfall is likely to be close to average during the 2019–20 year.
- Inflows into the region's storages are expected to be higher than last year.
For further information on the outlook for the region during the 2019–20 year scroll down this page or click on the links below:
Current water levels
- Rainfall was average to above average across the region during the 7-month period between July 2019–January 2020.
- Storages were 65% full at 20 February 2020, compared to 59% full at the same time last year.
- More information on current storage levels in the region is available on the Bureau of Meteorology's Water Storage website.
Climate outlook
Figure S13 Chance of exceeding median rainfall for the Melbourne region for March–May 2020
- According to the Bureau of Meteorology's climate outlook (from 20 February 2020), rainfall is expected to be close to average during the next three months (March–May 2020).
- Major climate drivers, including the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), are expected to remain neutral through autumn.
- Total annual rainfall for 2019–20 is likely to be close to average and higher than last year.
- Inflows into the region's storages for the 2019–20 year are expected to be higher than 2018–19.
Future commitments
- Water use is not expected to increase from 2018–19, primarily due to the likely improved rainfall conditions compared to last year.