Australia & New Zealand

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits forecast to retreat significantly

Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits forecast to retreat significantly

The forecast through May indicates that water deficits will nearly disappear, persisting along Victoria’s central coast, in Tasmania, and in northern New Zealand. Surpluses will emerge in the Kimberley and re-emerge in pockets along Australia’s southeastern coast.

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

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

The forecast through April indicates that water deficits will shrink and downgrade considerably. Deficits will be exceptional at the confluence of the Murray and Darling Rivers, moderate to severe from Canberra to Melbourne, and intense in Tasmania. Deficits are also forecast in northern New Zealand and in New Caledonia.

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

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

Water deficits will shrink and downgrade considerably in Australia through March 2020. Moderate deficits are expected in the southeast from Brisbane, growing more intense as they reach into southern Victoria and Tasmania. Surpluses are forecast in northwestern Western Australia. Deficits will downgrade in New Caledonia.

Australia & New Zealand: Severe deficits will persist from Brisbane to Melbourne

Australia & New Zealand: Severe deficits will persist from Brisbane to Melbourne

Through January 2020 deficits will shrink and downgrade considerably. Severe to extreme deficits are, however, forecast for Tasmania and eastern Australia from Melbourne north through Canberra, moderating near Gold Coast in Queensland and continuing past Brisbane. Deficits in New Caledonia will downgrade from exceptional but will be severe to extreme.

Australia & New Zealand: Intense water deficits forecast Brisbane to Melbourne

Australia & New Zealand: Intense water deficits forecast Brisbane to Melbourne

The forecast through December indicates that exceptional water deficits will shrink and downgrade in Australia, but a broad path of severe to extreme deficit is forecast from Brisbane in the east past Melbourne in the south and in Tasmania. Nearly normal water conditions are expected in New Zealand. Severe to extreme deficits will persist in New Caledonia.