Rainfall update 20 June 2018
The past week has seen lighter rainfall, mostly less than 10mm, for the bulk of the grainbelt. Some parts of the far northern grainbelt, as well as western parts of the central grainbelt have had higher amounts. The pattern of generally low rainfall has continued for south-eastern and southern regions.
Rainfall totals in the past week
[1]For more information refer to the Bureau of Meteorology weekly rainfall table for the south-west [3].
Rainfall for the month to date
Western and south-western locations have received good rainfall to date, and may achieve close to average rain for the month. Rainfall over the south-eastern grainbelt remains well below average to date. The Gascoyne and Pilbara have had well above-average rainfall for the month to date, noting that this is a time of year when rainfall is usually low (Figure 2).
[4]Monthly rainfall to date from DPIRD weather stations
[5]
[6]Seasonal rainfall to date
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[8]Soil moisture
Soil water storage has improved in northern and western cropping areas, while far-eastern cropping and south coast regions still have low storage. Figure 7 shows the estimated root zone soil water storage from the Bureau of Meteorology landscape model, as relative storage for the time of the year.
[9]Low levels of soil water remain in the eastern and south-eastern grainbelt. Figure 8 shows the estimated fallow soil water storage to 19 June 2018.
[11]Rainfall forecast for the next week
The second part of June is likely to see less rainfall because weather systems appear to be weaker and less frequent than early in the month. Rainfall forecast for the week ending 27 June 2018 appears to be confined to the south-west and west coastal areas (Figure 9). Relatively little rainfall is predicted for the eastern grainbelt and South Coast.
The ECMWF model is predicting a similar spatial pattern of rainfall over the coming week. Total predicted rainfall from the ECMWF model for the next 10 days is shown in Figure 10.
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