The May through July forecast indicates that Australia will transition away from widespread and intense water deficits observed February through April. However, severe to exceptional deficits are forecast for southwestern Western Australia, the Darwin Region of Northern Territory, Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria, much of the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland, and New Caledonia. Surpluses are expected to persist in northeastern Queensland, and a large block of surpluses in eastern Kimberly, Western Australia will transition to both deficits and surpluses. After July deficits will continue to retreat in Australia, except in Tasmania, leaving much of the country in near-normal conditions.
Australia & New Zealand: Exceptional water deficits to emerge in Tasmania
The April through June outlook indicates significant improvement as widespread and exceptional water anomalies are no longer evident in the forecast for South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. However, severe to exceptional deficits are expected to emerge throughout Tasmania and in Western Australia. Moderate deficits are forecast for central Australia, New Caledonia, and southern South Island, New Zealand. Surpluses will continue to emerge in eastern Queensland, and surpluses in the Kimberley Plateau in the northwest will diminish. After June primarily abnormal deficits will prevail over most of the country, with more severe deficits in eastern Tasmania, Western Australia, and in the north near Darwin.