Short-term rainfall deficiencies increased in south-eastern Australia as large areas received below-average April rainfall, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology drought report issued yesterday.

Chart 1, April 2018 rain decile, issued 3 May 2018 (Source: BOM)

Total rainfall for Australia was the eighth-lowest on record for April, chart 1. For southern Australia as a whole, rainfall was the third-lowest on record for April.

Exceptionally warm weather during April exacerbated the effect of low rainfall

Lower-layer soil moisture was below average for April across eastern South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria.

Chart 2, Rainfall deficiency four months January to April, issued 3 May 2018 (Source: BOM) click to enlarge

The first quarter of 2018 has been marked by an extended period of particularly dry weather for much of mainland south-eastern Australia, chart 2.

January to April was the seventh-driest such period for south-eastern Australia as a whole.

Full details of this month’s BOM drought report link here.