Weekly Australian Climate, Water and Agricultural Update, 12 November 2026

Key issues

• In the week ending 11 November 2026, low-pressure systems brought rainfall to scattered areas of northern, central, and southern Australia.
  • Cropping regions in northern Queensland saw between 1- 15 millimetres of rainfall over the period, with southern New South Wales and Victoria seeing up to 5 millimetres.
  • These limited falls are expected to facilitate field access for summer crop planting and winter crop harvest activities, particularly in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.
• Over the eight days from 12 to 19 November 2026, rainfall is forecast across much of Australia, including eastern, northern, central, and south-western areas.
  • Across north-eastern cropping regions, falls are expected to be considerable, with falls of 15- 100 millimetres in Queensland and northern New South Wales. In contrast, falls of 5- 25 millimetres are forecast across southern New South Wales. In Western Australia, falls of between 10-50 millimetres are forecast, with higher totals in eastern regions, while Victorian and South Australian cropping regions are forecast to receive 1-10 millimetres
• Despite the strong El Niño, the Bureau of Meteorology’s December 2026 to February 2027 outlook indicates below average rainfall is likely be restricted to the northern tropics. Above average rainfall is more likely across much of eastern and southern Australia.
  • If these forecast December to February rainfall totals are realised, they are likely to support at least average pasture growth across much of eastern and northern Australia. In Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales, forecast rainfall will aid late summer crop planting opportunities and support the growth and yield potential of early planted summer crops.
• Allocation prices in the Victorian Murray below the Barmah Choke decreased from $297/ML on 05 November 2026 to $279/ML on 05 November 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.
• No water storage level update for the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) is available this week.