The forecast through September indicates mild water deficits in much of Australia with more intense anomalies in Tasmania, surrounding Melbourne, in the eastern Murray-Darling Basin, and reaching north to the Darling Downs and Brisbane. In New Zealand, deficits are forecast on North Island. Extreme to exceptional deficits will persist in New Caledonia.
Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits will shrink in Australia but persist in the north
The forecast through June indicates that the exceptional water deficits that have dominated much of Australia in prior months will nearly disappear, though intense anomalies are forecast in the north. Primarily moderate deficits are expected from Adelaide through Victoria and along rivers in the Murray-Darling system. Deficits are expected to be more intense in northeastern New South Wales, Tasmania, the southwestern tip of Western Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia.
Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits to diminish except in SE Australia & New Caledonia
The forecast through March indicates that the intense water deficits that have dominated many parts of Australia in prior months will diminish considerably. However, severe to exceptional deficits will persist in Tasmania; along the southeastern coast of Australia from Adelaide past Melbourne; in the Strzelecki Desert in northwestern New South Wales; around Darwin in Northern Territory; and in the Blackwood River region near Busselton in the tip of Western Australia.
Australia & New Zealand: Water deficits forecast in VIC, NSW, TAS, & New Caledonia
Moderate water deficits, punctuated by more intense pockets, are expected across a large portion of the east and southeast including the Murray-Darling Basin, scattered across the north, and in the southwest tip of the country. Deficits are expected to be intense in Tasmania, pockets along the southeast coast, the southwest tip, Darwin and the Daly River region, and along the southern shore of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Intense deficits are forecast for New Caledonia.
Australia & New Zealand: Deficits persist in Tasmania & Channel Country
A transition away from significant water deficit is forecast for mainland Australia. Exceptional deficits will shrink considerably, retreating to Channel Country in central Australia. However, intense deficits are forecast for western Tasmania, coastal Victoria, Darwin, and the southeastern tip of Western Australia. Moderate deficits are forecast for the remainder of New South Wales, much of South Australia, Northern Territory, and much of the northern half of Western Australia. Moderate deficits are forecast for North Island New Zealand, and New Caledonia.