South East Queensland: Outlook for 2022 Account

as at 15 February 2022

  • Rainfall is likely to be above average during the 2021–22 year.
  • Inflows into the region's storages are expected to increase compared to last year.

Schematic representation of the South East Queensland region. In 2021–22, annual rainfall is expected to above average. End-of-year storage volume is likely to increase compared to last year. Water use is likely to be similar to last year.

For further information on the outlook for the region during the 2021–22 year scroll down this page or click on the links below:

 

Current water levels

  • Rainfall was above average across the region during July 2021–January 2022. Storage levels steadily increased during most of this 7-month period.
  • At 15 February 2022, storages were 71% full compared to 55% 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

Map of South East Queensland region showing the spatial distribution of the chance of exceeding median rainfall in percentage categories for March–May 2022. Rainfall has a 60–65% chance of exceeding median rainfall during March–May 2022 across the southwestern part of the region and a 60–65% chance of exceeding median rainfall for the rest of the region, including Brisbane. Key aspects of the rainfall map are described in the text below the figure.
Figure S8 Chance of exceeding median rainfall for the South East Queensland region for March–May 2022

 

  • According to the Bureau of Meteorology's climate outlook (from 10 February 2022), rainfall is expected to be above average during the next three months (March–May 2022).
  • The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in a La Niña phase and is likely to end in mid-autumn 2022.
  • Total annual rainfall for 2021–22 is likely to be above average and inflows into the region's storages are expected to increase compared to 2020–21.

 

Future commitments

  • Water use is expected to be similar to 2020–21. The likelihood of above average rainfall conditions across the region may not be large enough to result in a significant change in water use compared to last year.