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Dry and hot October – BOM
04 November 2015
October was dry across the majority of Australia, with the Bureau of Metrology (BOM) reporting that, nationally, rainfall was 53% below average. The northern half of WA, usually dry at this time of year, was the exception, recording ‘above-average’ rainfall for the month.
Low rainfall was coupled with above-average maximum and minimum temperatures during the month; with this early-season warmth further hindering pasture and crop growth. The mean temperature in October was close to three degrees above the long-term mean, due to an extremely warm start to the month and the persistence of above-average temperatures throughout October as a whole.
Rainfall was scattered throughout most of the eastern states in October, with a large portion of the rain associated with thunderstorms. Towards the end of the month rainfall was more widespread, with showers and severe thunderstorms in Victoria, SA and NSW.
- Western and central Queensland recorded ‘below average’ rainfall, while pockets of southeast Queensland were in the ‘average’ range.
- Rainfall in NSW ranged from ‘average’ to ‘below average’ across the state
- Rainfall was the ‘lowest on record’ for some parts of Victoria; while other parts mainly recorded ‘very much below average’ falls.
- South eastern SA saw ‘very much below average’ conditions, while Tasmania as a whole experienced the driest October on record.
- The southern half of WA remained mostly dry, while the northern half recorded ‘above average’ falls, with some areas receiving ‘very much above average’ rainfall.
Despite an El Nino in place in the Pacific, a strong low pressure system has moved its way across Australia this week, bringing with it forecast rain of 10-100mm. While heavier falls may hamper harvest activities in some regions, the rain will assist pasture conditions heading into the drier three month outlook ahead.
