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Australia & New Zealand: Intense water deficits will persist in Tasmania & New Caledonia

Australia & New Zealand: Intense water deficits will persist in Tasmania & New Caledonia

The forecast through August 2019 indicates a transition away from widespread, exceptional water deficits in Australia to, overall, mild deficits or normal conditions. However, intense deficits are forecast for Tasmania, the southern tip of Western Australia, northern New Zealand, and New Caledonia. Moderate to severe deficits are expected from Brisbane to Canberra.

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: 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.

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits forecast for Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, & New Caledonia

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits forecast for Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, & New Caledonia

Moderate water deficits, punctuated by more intense pockets, are expected across much of Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) and across northwestern and northern Australia. Areas of intense deficit include: the southwestern tip of Western Australia; from Melbourne through Canberra past Sydney; and, near Darwin and the Daly River region of Northern Territory. Generally mild deficits are expected in New Zealand. Deficits in New Caledonia will be intense.

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

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

Moderate water deficits, punctuated by more intense pockets, are expected across a large portion of the east and southeast including the Murray-Darling Basin, scattered across the north, and in the southwest tip of the country. Deficits are expected to be intense in Tasmania, pockets along the southeast coast, the southwest tip, Darwin and the Daly River region, and along the southern shore of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Intense deficits are forecast for New Caledonia.