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Your say on... The water crisis

50:50 chances for above average winter rainfall in NSW/ACT

The New South Wales outlook for total winter rainfall (June to August), shows no strong swings in the odds towards either above-normal or below-normal rainfall. The pattern of seasonal rainfall odds across Australia is a result of recent higher than average temperatures (although with a cooling trend) in the tropical Pacific Ocean, and also in parts of the tropical and sub-tropical Indian Ocean.

If, as computer models predict, the Pacific cools to such an extent that a La Niña forms during the next few months, subsequent issues of the seasonal rainfall outlook are likely to show increased chances of above average rainfall over eastern and northern Australia.

The chances of exceeding the median rainfall for the June to August period range from a little below 45% in the far west and south of the State, to around 55% in the northeast (see map). So in years with ocean patterns like the current, about five winters out of ten are wetter than average in NSW and five out of ten are drier.

Outlook confidence is related to how consistently the Pacific and Indian Oceans affect Australian rainfall. During winter, history shows this influence to be moderately consistent across much of New South Wales (see background information).

The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) remained neutral in April with a value of ?3 following the ?1 in March. The approximate 30-day value as at 19th May was ?2.

A large body of cool subsurface water persists in the central to eastern Pacific, thereby raising the potential for a La Niña to develop in 2007. Furthermore, computer models are predicting a La Niña to develop during winter. For routine updates and comprehensive discussion on any developments please see the ENSO Wrap-Up.

More information on this outlook is available from 9.00am to 5.00pm (EST) Monday to Friday by contacting the NSW Climate Services section in the Bureau's Sydney Office: (02) 9296 1525.

THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE SEASONAL OUTLOOK IS EXPECTED BY 26th JUNE 2007