Weekly Australian Climate, Water and Agricultural Update, 22 January 2026

Key issues

• In the week ending 21 January 2026, rainfall was recorded across northern and eastern regions of Australia, while central and some southern areas remained comparably dry.
  • The remnants of Ex-Tropical cyclone Koji continued to influence rainfall outcomes in eastern regions, with rainfall totals of 100-300 millimetres in coastal New South Wales and the Northern Tropics.
  • Across cropping regions rainfall in Queensland and northern New South Wales has likely provided some benefit to soil moisture levels and the growth of summer crop.
• Over the 8-days to 29 January 2026, rainfall is forecast for the north and west of the country.
  • Continued heavy falls are forecast across major flood warning areas of northern Queensland. If realised these falls are likely to further exacerbate flooding, continue to slow recovery efforts and may lead to increased livestock losses due to a lack of feed and exposure to disease and illness.
  • The expected falls in Queensland are likely to further support soil moisture in summer cropping regions.
• Water storage levels in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) remained unchanged between 15 January 2026 and 22 January 2026. The current volume of water held in storages is 12,694 GL, equivalent to 57% of total storage capacity. This is 16% or 2,328 GL less than the same time last year. Water storage data is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology.
• Allocation prices in the Victorian Murray below the Barmah Choke decreased from $436/ML on 15 January 2026 to $413/ML on 22 January 2026. Trade from the Goulburn to the Murray is closed. Trade downstream through the Barmah Choke is closed. Trade from the Murrumbidgee to the Murray is open.