Weekly Australian Climate, Water and Agricultural Update, 30 July 2026

Key issues

• In the week ending 29 July 2026, much of Australia was largely dry, particularly across northern and central regions.
  • Light falls of between 1-10 millimetres were recorded across cropping regions in parts of southern New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and southern Western Australia.
  • Successive weeks of dry conditions in some southern and eastern regions will see a continued drawdown of stored soil moisture to support crop and pasture growth. 
• Over the 8 days to 6 August 2026, Australia is forecast to remain largely dry, with exceptions in south-western and some south-eastern regions.
• Across cropping regions, the 8-day forecasts indicates that falls are expected to be limited to the west and southeast: 
  • In Western Australia falls of 10-25 millimetres are forecast for most western and central growing regions with lighter falls of up to 10 millimetres expected in the far southeast. If realised, these falls are likely to benefit crop and pasture growth, and boost soil moisture levels, following a relatively dry July. 
  • Light falls of 1-5 millimetres are forecast for southern New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Remaining cropping regions are likely to see little to no rainfall over the coming 8-days. 
• The northern rainfall onset for 2026–27 is likely to be earlier than usual for most western and central parts of northern Australia but later than normal for much of the east.
• Water storage levels in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) increased by 205 gigalitres (GL) between 23 July 2026 and 30 July 2026. The current volume of water held in storages is 12,963 GL, equivalent to 58% of total storage capacity. This is 8% or 1,044 GL less than the same time last year. Water storage data is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
• Allocation prices in the Victorian Murray below the Barmah Choke increased from $389/ML on 23 July 2026 to $403/ML on 30 July 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.