Weekly Australian Climate, Water and Agricultural Update, 9 April 2026

Key issues

• In the week ending 8 April 2026, fronts brought rainfall to some southern regions, while low-pressure systems brought rainfall to parts of the north.
  • The generally dry conditions across much of northern and central Australia has seen some easing of the flood warnings in place across parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory and South Australia.
  • Rainfall across cropping regions in the south-east of Western Australia and the west of South Australia are expected to support autumn pasture growth and boost soil moisture levels in the lead up to winter crop planting.
• Over the 8 days to 16 April 2026 cold fronts are expected to bring rainfall to parts of the southeast and northeast, while low-pressure systems are expected the bring rainfall to the northeast:
  • Across cropping regions falls of up to 50 millimetres are forecast for south-eastern and northern regions. These falls are likely to contribute to a build-up of soil moisture ahead of the planting of 2026–27 winter crops and benefit the growth of pastures.
  • Low rainfall totals (0-10 millimetres) are forecast for cropping regions across southern Queensland, northern New South Wales, Western Australia, and western South Australia. These mainly dry forecast conditions across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales are expected to support the harvest of late summer crops.
• The national rainfall outlook for May to July 2026 indicates an increased probability of below median rainfall across much of eastern and south-eastern Australia.
  • These expected below average falls for much of eastern and south-eastern Australia represent an increased downside production risk for the upcoming 2026–27 winter cropping season and autumn pasture growth.
• Water storage levels in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) decreased by 99 gigalitres (GL) between 2 April 2026 and 9 April 2026. The current volume of water held in storages is 10,345 GL, equivalent to 46% of total storage capacity. This is 15% or 1,767 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 remains unchanged at $399/ML between 2 April 2026 to 9 April 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.