The forecast through May indicates that the widespread, exceptional water deficits that have dominated Australia in prior months will diminish considerably. However, exceptional deficits are forecast in the far north and in northern South Australia. Severe deficits are forecast in eastern Queensland and extreme anomalies in the Northern Tableland of New South Wales. Intense deficits are also forecast for Tasmania, New Zealand, and 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 NSW, VIC, & TAS
The forecast through January indicates that intense water deficits will persist in southeastern Australia with exceptional deficits in western Tasmania. Deficits may be severe to extreme along the Murray River. Moderate deficits will cut a broad path from New South Wales into the center of the country surrounding the Simpson Desert. Some severe deficits are forecast in western North Island, New Zealand. Deficits in New Caledonia will moderate.
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 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.