Seasonal Climate Outlook Message for November 2009 to February 2010
The bottom line
IDP's increase, southern Australia exceptionally hot Dave McRae, Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence, 24/11/09.
As at 31 October 2009, 35 percent of the land area of the state is drought declared under state Government processes. There are a total of 46 Individually Droughted Properties (IDP's) in nine regional government areas. This is up from 8 IDP's at the end of August.
Drought declarations in Queensland are made following recommendations from the local drought committees to the minister. The local drought committees also make the recommendations to the minister for drought declarations to be revoked. This occurs when in their opinion there has been sufficient rainfall to promote enough pasture growth to permit stocking at 'near-normal' carrying capacities for the given time of year.
For a full list of drought declared regions and a seasonal conditions report go the Long Paddock internet site www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au Other information on the current drought situation and available financial assistance, drought planning advice, social, and community counselling services can be found at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/drought or through the QPIF Call Centre on 132523.
The Bureau of Meteorology has just released a special climate statement addressing the prolonged spring heatwave which has affected large parts of central and southern Australia during November. According to the Bureau, the duration of this event has been exceptional with numerous records broken for the total number of November days above thresholds.
For example, for Adelaide during November there have been eight consecutive days above 35 degrees C. This is well over the previous record of four consecutive days. This is now the third exceptional prolonged heatwave that has occurred in Adelaide during the last 20 months.
Average temperatures across central and southern Australia have also been running well above average especially during the day. Maximum temperatures for November have been at least 6 degrees C above average for the month to date throughout the southern half of South Australia, Victoria away from the southern coastal fringe, and most of inland New South Wales. Temperatures have been 8 degrees C or more above normal in parts of southern inland New South Wales and in the Wimmera district in Victoria. For more information go to www.bom.gov.au/climate
The 30 day average of the SOI as of the 24th November is minus 9.8. You can receive a text message with the latest SOI values sent to your mobile phone. To subscribe to this free service, call me on (07) 4688 1459 or e-mail david.mcrae@climatechange.qld.gov.au
