Western Australia

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits will shrink in Australia but persist in the north

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits will shrink in Australia but persist in the north

The forecast through June indicates that the exceptional water deficits that have dominated much of Australia in prior months will nearly disappear, though intense anomalies are forecast in the north. Primarily moderate deficits are expected from Adelaide through Victoria and along rivers in the Murray-Darling system. Deficits are expected to be more intense in northeastern New South Wales, Tasmania, the southwestern tip of Western Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia.

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits to diminish except in SE Australia & New Caledonia

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits to diminish except in SE Australia & New Caledonia

The forecast through March indicates that the intense water deficits that have dominated many parts of Australia in prior months will diminish considerably. However, severe to exceptional deficits will persist in Tasmania; along the southeastern coast of Australia from Adelaide past Melbourne; in the Strzelecki Desert in northwestern New South Wales; around Darwin in Northern Territory; and in the Blackwood River region near Busselton in the tip of Western Australia.

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits to persist in TAS, VIC, & NSW

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits to persist in TAS, VIC, & NSW

The forecast through February indicates that intense water deficits will nearly disappear, persisting in Tasmania, pockets of Victoria and New South Wales, and around Busselton in Western Australia. Deficits will be severe on the Murray River. Moderate deficits are forecast across northern Australia. In New Zealand, deficits are forecast in the north and surpluses in the south from Christchurch to Dunedin. Deficits in New Caledonia will moderate.

Australia & New Zealand: Intense water deficits to persist in southeastern Australia

Australia & New Zealand: Intense water deficits to persist in southeastern Australia

The forecast through December indicates that intense water deficits which have dominated much of Australia in prior months will retreat from most regions except the southeast. Deficits will be exceptional in Tasmania, and severe to exceptional along the southeast coast from Adelaide through Victoria and past Canberra. Moderate to severe deficits are forecast for New Zealand. Deficits in New Caledonia will moderate.

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits to persist in VIC, NSW, TAS, & New Caledonia

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits to persist in VIC, NSW, TAS, & New Caledonia

Intense water deficits that have dominated much of Australia in prior months will diminish considerably through November, but deficits of varying intensity are forecast particularly in Victoria and New South Wales, and intense deficits will increase in Tasmania covering much of the western half of the state. Deficits in New Caledonia will downgrade slightly but remain intense, and intense deficits are also expected north of Auckland, New Zealand.