Australia & New Zealand

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits forecast to persist in Tasmania

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits forecast to persist in Tasmania

Water deficits are forecast to persist through May in Tasmania, the southwestern tip of Western Australia, and from Adelaide through Victoria, though deficits of exceptional severity will diminish considerably in extent. Surpluses are forecast for central Queensland and parts of the Murray-Darling Basin through November. Far north reaches of Australia are expected to transition from deficit to moderate surplus from December through February. 

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits forecast in southwestern Victoria, New Caledonia

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits forecast in southwestern Victoria, New Caledonia

Despite recent flooding in northern Tasmania, water deficits are forecast to persist in western Tasmania through April, with greatest severity in August. Deficits in New Caledonia are forecast to persist through October; deficits across some far northern regions of Australia may linger through November; and deficits in the southwest tip of Western Australia, south of Adelaide, and in the Melbourne area will persist through April. Water surpluses are forecast for the Fitzroy River Basin and southwest of there, also in the Upper Murray River catchment.

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits persist across northern Australia & in New Caledonia

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits persist across northern Australia & in New Caledonia

Water deficits are forecast to persist across parts of northern Australia – particularly northernmost regions of the Northern Territory and the southern shore of the Gulf of Carpentaria – and also in the southwest tip of Western Australia, Tasmania, and New Caledonia. From July through September surpluses are forecast to persist near the Barcoo and Fitzroy Rivers in Queensland, and emerge west of Brisbane. Surpluses will continue to emerge north of Adelaide east of Spencer Gulf in South Australia, and will emerge in the center of New South Wales. 

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits persist in the North, Tasmania, & North Island

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits persist in the North, Tasmania, & North Island

Water deficits are forecast to linger for the next six months across parts of northern Australia – particularly the northernmost regions of the Northern Territory and the southern shore of the Gulf of Carpentaria – and also in the southwest tip of Western Australia; Tasmania; and North Island, New Zealand. Moderate surpluses are forecast in August and September along the Macquarie and Lachlan Rivers in New South Wales. Current surpluses farther north in eastern Queensland are expected to persist, and surpluses are forecast to emerge along the Barcoo River in November.

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits linger in the north, near Perth, Tasmania, North Island

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits linger in the north, near Perth, Tasmania, North Island

Water deficits are forecast to linger for the next six months across parts of northern Australia – particularly Arnhem Land and along the Gulf of Carpentaria – and also from Perth southward; in Tasmania; on North Island, New Zealand; and in New Caledonia. A transition from moderate deficits to moderate surpluses in the Darling and Murray Rivers and their tributaries is forecast from August on.