Key issues
- During the week ending 22 August 2018 little to no rainfall was recorded across much of mainland Australia, with falls restricted to the far south and west of the country. Rainfall totals of between 10 and 50 millimetres were recorded across isolated areas of southern New South Wales, much of southern and eastern Victoria, the far southeast of South Australia, south-western Western Australia and much of Tasmania.
- In cropping regions, weekly rainfall totals of between 1 and 10 millimetres were recorded in parts of southern New South Wales. For cropping regions in Victoria weekly rainfall totals were variable, ranging from 1 millimetre in the north to 25 millimetres in the south-west and south-east. In South Australian and Western Australian cropping regions, weekly rainfall totals ranged from 1 to 25 millimetres.
- For the week ending 21 August 2018, maximum temperatures were above average (2°C to 6°C) across parts of western and central Australia and the southeast of Queensland, with generally average daytime temperatures across the remainder of the country. Minimum temperatures were generally below average, with parts of northern and eastern Australia recording night-time temperatures of 2°C to 6°C below average for this time of year.
- During the next eight days, rainfall is expected across large areas of eastern Australia and the far south of the country.
- The first cut-off low-pressure system of the winter season is expected to bring rainfall totals of between 10 and 50 millimetres to much of eastern New South Wales and the southeast of Queensland. These falls are likely to provide a timely boost to soil moisture levels before the spring production period. However, due to the high soil moisture deficit that currently exists across much of eastern Australia subsequent rainfall events will be required to materially improve agricultural production conditions.
- In cropping regions, rainfall totals of between 1 and 10 millimetres are forecast for southern New South Wales, much of Victoria, northern Queensland, central and eastern South Australia and Western Australia during the next eight days. Heavier falls of between 10 and 50 millimetres are forecast for cropping regions in central and northern New South Wales, southern and central Queensland and western South Australia.
- Water storage levels in the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) increased during the week ending 23 August 2018 by 168 gigalitres (GL) to 12,310GL and are at 54 per cent of total capacity. This is 19 percentage points or 4,195 GL less than at the same time last year.
- Allocation prices in the southern Murray-Darling Basin decreased in the week ending 23 August 2018 to $331 per ML. This is a decrease of $5 from the same time last week.
Climate
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Rainfall this week
During the week ending 22 August 2018 little to no rainfall was recorded across much of mainland Australia, with falls restricted to the far south and west of the country. Rainfall totals of between 10 and 50 millimetres were recorded across isolated areas of southern New South Wales, much of southern and eastern Victoria, the far southeast of South Australia, south-western Western Australia and much of Tasmania.
Higher rainfall totals in excess of 50 millimetres were recorded across isolated areas of Victoria and western Tasmania. The highest recorded weekly total was 103 millimetres at Margaret Dam, in western Tasmania.
In cropping regions, rainfall totals of between 1 and 10 millimetres were recorded across parts of southern New South Wales. For cropping regions in Victoria, weekly rainfall totals were variable, ranging from 1 to 10 millimetres in northern and central areas to 10 to 25 millimetres in the far west. In South Australian and Western Australian cropping regions, weekly rainfall totals ranged from 1 to 25 millimetres. Little to no rainfall was recorded in cropping regions in central and northern New South Wales and Queensland.
Rainfall analysis for the week ending 22 August 2018
©Commonwealth of Australia 2018, Australian Bureau of Meteorology - Issued: 22/8/2018
Note: The rainfall analyses and associated maps utilise data contained in the Bureau of Meteorology climate database, the Australian Data Archive for Meteorology (ADAM). The analyses are initially produced automatically from real-time data with limited
quality control. They are intended to provide a general overview of rainfall across Australia as quickly as possible after the observations are received. For further information go to
Weekly Rainfall Update.
Temperature anomalies this week
For the week ending 21 August 2018, maximum temperatures were above average (2°C to 6°C) across parts of western and central Australia and the southeast of Queensland, with generally average daytime temperatures across the remainder of the country. Minimum temperatures were generally below average, with parts of Queensland, northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory recording night-time temperatures of 4°C to 6°C below average for this time of year.
Maximum temperature anomalies for the week ending 21 August 2018
©Commonwealth of Australia 2018, Australian Bureau of Meteorology - Issued: 22/8/2018
Minimum temperature anomalies for the week ending 21 August 2018
©Commonwealth of Australia 2018, Australian Bureau of Meteorology - Issued: 22/8/2018
Note: Spatial temperature analyses are based on historical weekly temperature data provided by the Bureau of Meteorology. These temperature anomaly maps show the departure of the maximum and minimum temperatures from the average over the 1961 to 1990 reference period. For further information go to
Daily maximum temperature for Australia.
Rainfall forecast for the next 8 days
During the next eight days, rainfall is expected across large areas of eastern Australia and the far south of the country. Little to no rainfall is forecast across the remainder of the country.
The first cut-off low-pressure system of the winter season is expected to bring rainfall totals of between 10 and 50 millimetres to much of eastern New South Wales and the southeast of Queensland. These falls are likely to provide a timely boost to soil moisture levels before the spring production period. However, due to the high soil moisture deficit that currently exists across much of eastern Australia subsequent rainfall events will be required to materially improve agricultural production conditions.
Rainfall totals of between 10 and 50 millimetres are also forecast for southern and eastern Victoria, parts of southern South Australia, south-western Western Australia and western Tasmania. Heavier falls in excess of 50 millimetres are forecast for isolated areas of north-eastern New South Wales.
In cropping regions, rainfall totals of between 1 and 10 millimetres are forecast for southern New South Wales, much of Victoria, northern Queensland, central and eastern South Australia and Western Australia during the next eight days. Heavier falls of between 10 and 50 millimetres are forecast for cropping regions in central and northern New South Wales, southern and central Queensland and western South Australia.
This rainfall forecast is produced from computer models. As it contains no input from weather forecasters, it is important to check local forecasts and warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology.
Total forecast rainfall (mm) for the period 23 to 30 August 2018
©Commonwealth of Australia 2018, Australian Bureau of Meteorology - Issued: 23/8/2018
Commodities
Current indicators – 23 August 2018
| Indicator | Week ended | Unit | Latest price | Price week prior | Weekly change | Price 12 months prior | Year on year change | Chart |
|---|
Selected world indicator prices |
| Australian Dollar – AUD/USD Exchange Rate | 22-Aug | US$/A$ | 0.73 | 0.73 | 0% | 0.79 | -8% |
chart |
| Wheat – US no. 2 hard red winter wheat, fob Gulf | 21-Aug | US$/t | 250 | 258 | -3% | 198 | 26% |
chart |
| Coarse Grains – US no. 2 yellow corn, fob Gulf | 22-Aug | US$/t | 164 | 164 | 0% | 151 | 9% |
chart |
| Canola – Rapeseed, Europe, fob Hamburga | 21-Aug | US$/t | 441 | 436 | 1% | 433 | 2% |
chart |
| Cotton – Cotlook 'A' Index | 22-Aug | USc/lb | 91.9 | 95.1 | -3% | 77.7 | 18% |
chart |
| Sugar – Intercontinental Exchange, nearby futures, no.11 contract | 22-Aug | USc/lb | 10.2 | 10.5 | -3% | 13.5 | -24% |
chart |
| Wool – Eastern Market Indicator | 23-Aug | Ac/kg clean | 2,068 | 2,116 | -2% | 1,572 | 32% |
chart |
| Wool – Western Market Indicator | 17-Aug | Ac/kg clean | 2,279 | 2,158 | 6% | 1,680 | 36% |
chart |
Selected domestic crop indicator prices |
| Milling Wheat – ASW1, track quote, Port Adelaide, SA | 21-Aug | A$/t | 342 | 359 | -5% | 210 | 63% |
chart |
| Feed Wheat – General purpose, Sydney, NSW | 22-Aug | A$/t | 430 | 420 | 2% | 232 | 85% |
chart |
| Feed Barley – Sydney, NSW | 22-Aug | A$/t | 410 | 400 | 2% | 221 | 86% |
chart |
| Canola – Portland, Vic. | 20-Aug | A$/t | 572 | 575 | <1% | 495 | 16% |
chart |
| Grain Sorghum – Sydney, NSW | 22-Aug | A$/t | 395 | 385 | 3% | 299 | 32% |
chart |
Selected domestic livestock indicator prices |
| Beef – Eastern Young Cattle Indicator | 16-Aug | Ac/kg cwt | 451 | 463 | -3% | 551 | -18% |
chart |
| Mutton – Mutton indicator (18-24 kg fat score 2-3), Vic | 17-Aug | Ac/kg cwt | 407 | 394 | 3% | 401 | 1% |
chart |
| Lamb – Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator | 16-Aug | Ac/kg cwt | 813 | 761 | 7% | 594 | 37% |
chart |
| Pig – Eastern Seaboard (60.1-75 kg), average of buyers & sellers | 10-Aug | Ac/kg cwt | 247 | 247 | 0% | 276 | -11% |
chart |
| Goat – Eastern States (12.1-16 kg) | 20-Aug | Ac/kg cwt | 568 | 560 | 1% | 457 | 24% |
chart |
| Live cattle – Light steers ex Darwin to Indonesia | 18-Aug | Ac/kg lwt | 300 | 300 | 0% | 330 | -9% |
chart |
| Live sheep – Live wether (Muchea WA saleyard) to Middle East | 14-May | $/head | 95 | na | na | 116 | -18% |
chart |
Global Dairy Trade weighted average pricesa |
| Dairy – Whole milk powder | 21-Aug | US$/t | 2,883 | 2,958 | -3% | 3,143 | -8% |
chart |
| Dairy – Skim milk powder | 21-Aug | US$/t | 1,951 | 1,972 | -1% | 1,968 | <1% |
chart |
| Dairy – Cheddar cheese | 21-Aug | US$/t | 3,484 | 3,663 | -5% | 4,005 | -13% |
chart |
| Dairy – Anhydrous milk fat | 21-Aug | US$/t | 5,321 | 5,709 | -7% | 6,199 | -14% |
chart |
a Global Dairy Trade prices are updated twice monthly on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Selected world indicator prices
Selected domestic crop indicator prices
Selected domestic livestock indicator prices
Global dairy trade weighted average prices
Movements in selected fruit and vegetable prices
Data attribution
Water
Water storages, water markets and water allocations - current week
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