RAINFALL for October was above to very much above average for most of Queensland and northern to central New South Wales, according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s monthly drought statement.

Monthly totals were in the highest 10 per cent of historical observations (decile 1) for October along most of Queensland’s east coast and adjacent hinterland, extending to the southwest and large parts of northern NSW.

It was the wettest October on record for parts of the Wide Bay, Burnett and North Tropical Coast districts in Queensland, and for the State as a whole it was the third-wettest October on record.

Rainfall was also above average for the eastern half of Western Australia away from the southern coast, western and northern South Australia, and parts of the Northern Territory south of the Gulf of Carpentaria, in the west of the Alice Springs District, and about the Top End.

In WA, rainfall was below average for much of the South West Land Division, south coast, and western to central Gascoyne.

Rainfall was also below average for numerous scattered areas across southeast SA and Victoria, and across most of Tasmania.

Rainfall across Queensland and northern NSW has largely cleared deficiencies at both the 5- and 8-month timescales, while deficiencies at the shorter timescale have also been cleared in the Kimberley.

Source: BOM