Seasonal Climate Outlook Message for March to June 2007

The bottom line

Summer has little impact on Qld drought status Dave McRae 26th March 2007

Following recommendations from the Local Drought Committee (LDC), the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries drought declared the western portion of Waggamba Shire as at 1 February 2007. As at 28 February 2007 there are 73 shires and 3 part shires drought declared under State processes, which is equivalent to 63.3% of the land area of the State. There are also 95 Individually Droughted Properties (IDPs) in a further 11 shires.

Other information on the current drought situation and available financial assistance, drought planning advice, social, and community counselling services can be found at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/drought/ or through the DPI Call Centre on 132523.

If you are interested in finding out more about the recent cyclones in WA go to www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa/cyclone/

In the ENSO wrap-up available at www.bom.gov.au the Bureau of Meteorology state that eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean has continued to cool rapidly following the demise of the 2006/07 El Nino event. While the end of the El Nino is usually associated with a return to more normal rainfall patterns, it should not be seen as an automatic start to drought-breaking rains. This particularly applies to eastern and southern Australia, which in some instances will require several years of good rainfall to recover.

As autumn is a key time for the establishment of climate phenomena such as El Nino and La Nina we recommend closely monitoring what happens over the next few months. Daily updates on the SOI are available on (07) 46881439 or at www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au For more information refer to Rainman StreamFlow, or contact 132523.