Widespread exceptional water deficits in South Australia are forecast to nearly disappear from March through May leaving moderate deficits, but widespread deficits of varying severity are forecast in eastern Australia, particularly Queensland, with exceptional deficits in Central West, Queensland. Primarily moderate deficits are forecast for New South Wales, much of Victoria, and in Western Australia south of Perth. After May the forecast indicates considerable improvement with the near-absence of extreme to exceptional deficits, though severe deficits will emerge in eastern Tasmania.
Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits in Queensland & North Island
From February through April moderate to exceptional deficits are forecast for much of Queensland. Primarily moderate deficits are forecast for New South Wales and southern Victoria. Moderate to severe deficits are expected to persist in North Island, New Zealand. Surpluses in the northern part of Western Australia and into the Victoria River Basin of Northern Territory are expected to diminish in severity. The forecast after April looks less eventful with moderate deficits tracing a path from Northern Territory’s Top End down along the eastern coast through New South Wales.
Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits ahead for South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales
The forecast through March indicates widespread and exceptional water deficits in South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. Deficits of varying severity are forecast for Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Northern Territory’s Top End, central Tasmania, and North Island, New Zealand. Moderate surpluses are expected in an arc across the northern part of the country from the Kimberly Plateau through northeastern Queensland to the coast. The forecast past March is less eventful, with deficits emerging across Northern Territory, scattered through Victoria and New South Wales, and in Tasmania, and New Zealand.
Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits in northern Queensland and Tasmania
The overall progression of water conditions in Australia for the next 12 months indicates few significant anomalies. Pockets of exceptional surplus are forecast to persist through May along the southern coast of Western Australia, and east of Port Pirie on Spencer Gulf in South Australia. Moderate deficits in Far North Queensland are expected to persist through August. Deficits may also linger south of Perth and in Tasmania.
Australia & New Zealand: Water surpluses forecast for Warrego River QLD & Murray River NSW
The forecast through January shows water surpluses in the Warrego River Catchment in Queensland, between Port Pirie and Adelaide in South Australia, between the Lachlan and Murray Rivers in New South Wales, and along the southern coast of Western Australia. Mild surpluses are forecast to emerge from King Sound in Western Australia to the western shore of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Deficits are forecast south of Perth, along the Limestone Coast, southeast of Melbourne, and North Island, New Zealand.