8007 STATEMENT Australia Drought Review Statement no 120
Title
8007 STATEMENT Australia Drought Review Statement no 120
Text
=== Page 1 of 5
AUSTRALIA
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY.
DROUGHT REVIEW
AUSTRALIA
NUMBER 120
Issued July 1980
I got this in my other job and saved it for some other time. It is a classic. It has done more to help me understand himself than anything else I have read. It is as rare as England! "Get lost, Owens."
Ted
=== Page 2 of 5
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY
GPO Box 1289K
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
STATEMENT ON DROUGHT ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF METEOROLOGY ON 8 JULY 1980
The Director of Meteorology, Dr J.W. Zillman, said today that on the basis of the five-month period ending 30 June 1980 only a few relatively small pockets of severe rainfall deficiency remain in Australia. Parts of the Northwest Plains, in the vicinity of Moree, New South Wales, constitute one such area; the other is made up of the southern section of the New South Wales South Coast and parts of East Gippsland and northeastern Victoria. On the basis of a three-month period, on the other hand, a small area around Corrigin and Kondindin, in South Central Western Australia, is also in a severely deficient rainfall situation.
In addition to the above, some areas of the country continue to be in a state of serious rainfall deficiency. Rainfall in June over most of Queensland - except for parts of the North Coast - was much below average. This has lengthened the period of serious deficiency in the southwest of that State. In New South Wales, much of the Hunter district and a small area of the Northwest Slopes are in a similar condition for the five-month period, despite near average June rainfall. Much of the New South Wales Northwest Plains, and extending over the border into Queensland's West Darling Downs, is also seriously deficient in rainfall, on this basis. Further south, serious deficiencies continue on the South Coast and Southern Tablelands of New South Wales and in northeastern Victoria.
In contrast to the areas of rainfall deficiency, parts of Australia received rainfall that was very much above average for June. Most significantly, the De Grey, Fortescue and Gascoyne districts in Western Australia were in this category, and damaging floods occurred at Carnarvon. Rainfall was also very much above average for June in the Southeast of Western Australia, in the Lower North of South Australia, and in East Central Victoria.
The map shows the extent and severity of rainfall deficiencies at the end of June, while the tables provide statistics of rainfall in and near the affected areas.
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INTRODUCTION
In June average to well above average rainfall occurred over most of southeastern Australia, much of which was associated with a storm towards the end of the month. Falls over the far southeast of New South Wales were, however, very much below average.
In Western Australia rain bearing systems that moved southeastwards across the upper west coast caused very much above average June rains in the Fortescue, West Gascoyne, Murchison and Southeast districts. In the southwest of the State, the month's rainfall was about average apart from a below average amount in the North Central district.
June rainfall was well below average over most of Queensland and extending into inland northern New South Wales.
Greater than average rainfall for the three months (April to June) was received over a wide area of country extending from the northwest coast of Western Australia, across the interior of that State, and through South Australia into western New South Wales and northwestern Victoria.
The West Gascoyne and Murchison districts of Western Australia received record amounts of rain for this period. Heavy rain in May resulted in greater than average falls for the three months April to June between Bundaberg and Port Macquarie.
Elsewhere in southern Australia the three months' rainfall totals were chiefly about average, the main exception being the very much below average totals over the extreme southeast corner of the continent. Very much below average rainfall totals for this period were also recorded in Queensland's Far Southwest district.
Western Australia
In June very much above average rains occurred in the Fortescue, West Gascoyne, Murchison and Southeast districts. The Kimberleys were rainless, which is usual for June. Elsewhere the month's rainfall was average or above, except for a below average amount in the North Central district.
The three-month rainfall, April to June, showed a similar pattern. There was an extensive area of very much above average rainfall extending from the northwest coast across the interior with the West Gascoyne and Murchison districts receiving record amounts. In the North Central district, rainfall was much below average for this period.
Northern Territory
In June the usual rainless conditions were experienced in the southern areas except for some isolated rain around Nhulunbuy in the Arnhem district. The Alice Springs district received some light falls.
The three month's rainfall, April to June, varied from above average in the Roper-McArthur and Alice Springs districts to below average in the Arnhem and Victoria districts.
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South Australia
June rainfall was mostly above average with well above average amounts in the Upper and Lower North, West Central, Murray Valley and Murray Mallee districts.
For the three months rainfall totals were above average throughout except for average totals in the Lower Southeast district.
Districts recording very much above average totals were the Far North and the Lower North.
Queensland
June rainfall was well below average, being rainless in many districts, the only exceptions to this being the average to above average totals recorded in the South Peninsula and North Coast districts.
Rainfall for the three months varied from above average in the Herbert, East Central Coast, and Moreton districts to very much below average in the North Peninsula and the Far Southwest districts.
New South Wales
June rainfall was mostly about average. However much above average totals were recorded in the Lower Darling district and very much below average totals were recorded in the Northwest Plains (East), South Coast and Snowy Mountains districts.
The three-monthly rainfall was also mostly average. However, the Lower Darling and Northern Tablelands (East) districts received very much above average amounts for this period, while the South Coast and Snowy Mountains received very much below average amounts.
Victoria
All districts received average or better than average rainfall for June. Very much above average totals were recorded in the East Central district.
The three-monthly rainfall was well above average over most of the west of the State and average elsewhere. Nevertheless, very much below average totals were recorded in East Gippsland.
Tasmania
June rainfall was average, except for a below average amount in the Derwent Valley district.
The three-monthly totals were average in all districts except Midlands and Southeast where totals were below average.
=== Page 5 of 5
QLD
Windorah ●
Hungerford ●
Goondiwindi ●
BRISBANE
Walgett ●
Tamworth ●
SA
NSW
Merriwa ●
Wyong ●
SYDNEY
ADELAIDE ●
CANBERRA ●
Beechworth ●
VIC
MELBOURNE ●
Sale ●
Launceston ●
TAS
HOBART
Rainfall deficiencies based on a selected network of telegraphic reporting stations.
Serious Deficiency
Severe Deficiency
Rainfall deficiencies 5 months 1 February - 30 June 1980
Rainfall deficiencies
AUSTRALIA
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY.
DROUGHT REVIEW
AUSTRALIA
NUMBER 120
Issued July 1980
I got this in my other job and saved it for some other time. It is a classic. It has done more to help me understand himself than anything else I have read. It is as rare as England! "Get lost, Owens."
Ted
=== Page 2 of 5
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY
GPO Box 1289K
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
STATEMENT ON DROUGHT ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF METEOROLOGY ON 8 JULY 1980
The Director of Meteorology, Dr J.W. Zillman, said today that on the basis of the five-month period ending 30 June 1980 only a few relatively small pockets of severe rainfall deficiency remain in Australia. Parts of the Northwest Plains, in the vicinity of Moree, New South Wales, constitute one such area; the other is made up of the southern section of the New South Wales South Coast and parts of East Gippsland and northeastern Victoria. On the basis of a three-month period, on the other hand, a small area around Corrigin and Kondindin, in South Central Western Australia, is also in a severely deficient rainfall situation.
In addition to the above, some areas of the country continue to be in a state of serious rainfall deficiency. Rainfall in June over most of Queensland - except for parts of the North Coast - was much below average. This has lengthened the period of serious deficiency in the southwest of that State. In New South Wales, much of the Hunter district and a small area of the Northwest Slopes are in a similar condition for the five-month period, despite near average June rainfall. Much of the New South Wales Northwest Plains, and extending over the border into Queensland's West Darling Downs, is also seriously deficient in rainfall, on this basis. Further south, serious deficiencies continue on the South Coast and Southern Tablelands of New South Wales and in northeastern Victoria.
In contrast to the areas of rainfall deficiency, parts of Australia received rainfall that was very much above average for June. Most significantly, the De Grey, Fortescue and Gascoyne districts in Western Australia were in this category, and damaging floods occurred at Carnarvon. Rainfall was also very much above average for June in the Southeast of Western Australia, in the Lower North of South Australia, and in East Central Victoria.
The map shows the extent and severity of rainfall deficiencies at the end of June, while the tables provide statistics of rainfall in and near the affected areas.
=== Page 3 of 5
INTRODUCTION
In June average to well above average rainfall occurred over most of southeastern Australia, much of which was associated with a storm towards the end of the month. Falls over the far southeast of New South Wales were, however, very much below average.
In Western Australia rain bearing systems that moved southeastwards across the upper west coast caused very much above average June rains in the Fortescue, West Gascoyne, Murchison and Southeast districts. In the southwest of the State, the month's rainfall was about average apart from a below average amount in the North Central district.
June rainfall was well below average over most of Queensland and extending into inland northern New South Wales.
Greater than average rainfall for the three months (April to June) was received over a wide area of country extending from the northwest coast of Western Australia, across the interior of that State, and through South Australia into western New South Wales and northwestern Victoria.
The West Gascoyne and Murchison districts of Western Australia received record amounts of rain for this period. Heavy rain in May resulted in greater than average falls for the three months April to June between Bundaberg and Port Macquarie.
Elsewhere in southern Australia the three months' rainfall totals were chiefly about average, the main exception being the very much below average totals over the extreme southeast corner of the continent. Very much below average rainfall totals for this period were also recorded in Queensland's Far Southwest district.
Western Australia
In June very much above average rains occurred in the Fortescue, West Gascoyne, Murchison and Southeast districts. The Kimberleys were rainless, which is usual for June. Elsewhere the month's rainfall was average or above, except for a below average amount in the North Central district.
The three-month rainfall, April to June, showed a similar pattern. There was an extensive area of very much above average rainfall extending from the northwest coast across the interior with the West Gascoyne and Murchison districts receiving record amounts. In the North Central district, rainfall was much below average for this period.
Northern Territory
In June the usual rainless conditions were experienced in the southern areas except for some isolated rain around Nhulunbuy in the Arnhem district. The Alice Springs district received some light falls.
The three month's rainfall, April to June, varied from above average in the Roper-McArthur and Alice Springs districts to below average in the Arnhem and Victoria districts.
=== Page 4 of 5
South Australia
June rainfall was mostly above average with well above average amounts in the Upper and Lower North, West Central, Murray Valley and Murray Mallee districts.
For the three months rainfall totals were above average throughout except for average totals in the Lower Southeast district.
Districts recording very much above average totals were the Far North and the Lower North.
Queensland
June rainfall was well below average, being rainless in many districts, the only exceptions to this being the average to above average totals recorded in the South Peninsula and North Coast districts.
Rainfall for the three months varied from above average in the Herbert, East Central Coast, and Moreton districts to very much below average in the North Peninsula and the Far Southwest districts.
New South Wales
June rainfall was mostly about average. However much above average totals were recorded in the Lower Darling district and very much below average totals were recorded in the Northwest Plains (East), South Coast and Snowy Mountains districts.
The three-monthly rainfall was also mostly average. However, the Lower Darling and Northern Tablelands (East) districts received very much above average amounts for this period, while the South Coast and Snowy Mountains received very much below average amounts.
Victoria
All districts received average or better than average rainfall for June. Very much above average totals were recorded in the East Central district.
The three-monthly rainfall was well above average over most of the west of the State and average elsewhere. Nevertheless, very much below average totals were recorded in East Gippsland.
Tasmania
June rainfall was average, except for a below average amount in the Derwent Valley district.
The three-monthly totals were average in all districts except Midlands and Southeast where totals were below average.
=== Page 5 of 5
QLD
Windorah ●
Hungerford ●
Goondiwindi ●
BRISBANE
Walgett ●
Tamworth ●
SA
NSW
Merriwa ●
Wyong ●
SYDNEY
ADELAIDE ●
CANBERRA ●
Beechworth ●
VIC
MELBOURNE ●
Sale ●
Launceston ●
TAS
HOBART
Rainfall deficiencies based on a selected network of telegraphic reporting stations.
Serious Deficiency
Severe Deficiency
Rainfall deficiencies 5 months 1 February - 30 June 1980
Rainfall deficiencies
Collection
Citation
“8007 STATEMENT Australia Drought Review Statement no 120,” Archive Home, accessed July 29, 2026, https://pkman.org/archive/items/show/685.