Australia‘s Bureau of Meteorology has reported that areas experiencing severe rainfall deficiency have expanded following the driest September on record. This concerning development poses a significant risk to farm production in one of the world’s largest agricultural exporters.
Australia country witnessed record-high temperatures in the previous month, exacerbating the dry conditions which is in the grip of an El Niño weather phenomenon, which brings hotter and drier weather conditions.
While recent rainfall in parts of southeastern Australia has provided some relief to farmers, the wheat harvest has already been downgraded, and the Australian government has forecast a 41% drop in average farm incomes for the 2023–24 financial year.
The Bureau of Meteorology reported that the average nationwide rainfall in September was 70.8% below the 1961–1990 average. Over the past five months, all states and territories have experienced areas of rainfall deficiency, including significant portions of south-western Western Australia and much of the country’s south-east.
The bureau stated, “Areas of deficiency have generally expanded and become more severe, including West Coast district in South Australia and in the Central district in Victoria.” Furthermore, it noted that September’s soil moisture levels were below average for much of Australia, except for the north and central inland areas.
While only 3.5% of New South Wales is officially categorized as being in drought, an additional 28.2% falls under the less severe drought-affected category.
In its latest long-range forecast, the bureau predicts a 60% to 80% chance of below median rainfall in western, northern, and southern Australia between November-January next year. New South Wales small areas and southern Queensland are more likely to expect above median rainfall during this period.
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