New BoM Tools and Data
Date: 29-Jun-2017
Yesterday, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) launched two new web tools and updated their seasonal climate outlook.
The first new tool lists sites where desalination or water recycling are undertaken and reports on the total volumes of these “Climate Resilient Water Sources”. The site is user-friendly and includes data from industry as well as many public service providers. Queensland is well represented with nearly 70 sites but numerous urban sites are missing. Data can be added through tools provided on the site or by contacting qldwater.
The second launch yesterday was a tool designed to help predict the onset of rain in the north. The ‘Northern Rainfall Onset’ date is defined on the BoM site as “when the rainfall total in a particular region reaches 50 mm or more from 1 September. It is considered to be approximately the amount of rainfall required to stimulate plant growth after the dry season.” The site shows that projected El Nino conditions mean that early rainfall is unlikely across much of northern Queensland, but is average in the Bowen (mid-late October) and Mt Isa (late December- January) regions.
The climate update summarised climate data from the past three months confirmed above average temperatures and below average rainfall across Queensland with many areas experiencing record autumn temperatures and lowest recorded rainfall. Despite recent rain in the west ‘rainfall deficiencies’ remain severe or lowest-on-record for most inland areas. Normal (low) rain volumes are likely over winter, but temperatures, particularly at night, can be expected to be higher than average. Unfortunately, with the majority of the west still drought declared, the forecast means there will be little relief during the next three months.
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