Average rainfall for much of Queensland

February rainfall, although less widespread than that of January, saw rain encompass much of the country expect for central west NSW and northern SA.

Northern Australia saw areas such as the Pilbara, the Top End and Cape York receive generalised rainfall of 25-100mm, with isolated pockets measuring 300-400mm. Despite this, rainfall for most of the north in February was ‘very much below average’, even to the extent of ‘lowest on record’ in some areas. Central NT recorded light to medium rainfall, measuring 5-50mm, with less recorded closer to the interior.

Queensland had reasonable rainfall during February, with most of the east coast receiving 100mm while 25-50mm fell over most central and southern regions of the state – representing ‘mostly average’ to ‘above average’ rainfall for the area.

NSW and eastern Victoria had ‘below average’ rainfall, with isolated areas recording the ‘lowest on record’. Rainfall over NSW didn’t extend inland and only 10-25mm fell along the east coast. Similar rainfall was measured in western Victoria, which ranged from ‘average’ to ‘above average’.

The SA interior had ‘below average’ falls, ranging from 0-10mm while the coastline recorded ‘above average’ rainfall of 25-50mm, a system which extended into southern and central WA. The western coastline however remained relatively dry, with only scattered totals of 0-5mm. Tasmania had ‘average’ to ‘below average’ rainfall, recording 10-100mm.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) March to May outlook has predicted a continuation of the drier and hotter than average conditions in the north whilst most of southern Australia is expected to exceed average rainfall, particularly in the South-east. These expected conditions remain as a consequence of higher than average Southern Indian Ocean temperatures, warmer than average Northern sea temperatures and the continuing break down of El Nino, which is expected to end in the second quarter of this year.