Warm
dry weather continues as drought conditions worsen Continuing dry weather is causing concern in many parts of the country as satellite images today showed a nearly cloudless Australia. Top temperatures were 8 to 11 above average across a broad area today, from western Victoria through western NSW and eastern SA into SW Qld and the southern NT.
The Bureau of Meteorology's Drought Statement issued Friday show that serious to severe rainfall deficiencies over the past five months are intensifying in a large area west of Mildura, Victoria. In parts of this area, 5-month rainfall totals have been the lowest on record. Areas of worsening drought are also identified northwest of Bourke NSW, and around Birdsville Qld. Patches of serious to severe rainfall deficiency have developed over the past four months along the coast from the NSW Northern Rivers to north of Cooktown Qld.
In western Qld, the wet season has nearly finished after producing only 200mm of rain in the Mt Isa area. Water restrictions are in force in the city, and the dry "wet" season across the inland is being blamed for a dramatic jump in the volume of cattle being off-loaded throughout the state's west. The NSW Mid North Coast remains drought declared, and dry conditions remain between Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie despite recent heavy rain. An area around Merriwa, Coolah and Cassilis in the NSW Central West is seeking drought declaration despite Easter rain. In Tasmania, after excellent rain in spring and early summer, conditions have dried off in the past two months leading to concerns for a bleak winter for farmers. In Western Australia, an unusually dry summer coupled with forecast continuing dry conditions is threatening the state's winter crop seeding program. Perth recorded its driest March in 12 years, putting the city's water supply system under pressure. only 2.6mm was recorded compared with the average of 19mm.