The Minns Labor Government’s groundbreaking drought forecasting system made its debut in this month’s State Seasonal Update, published online.

The NSW Government says it is committed to growing and protecting the state’s primary industries and assisting farmers prepare for and better understand drought is a key goal.

They say their innovative online web-based tool will provide essential insights for farmers and other key agricultural stakeholders across NSW, allowing them to make informed decisions for drought preparedness, produce production and management.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to empowering NSW farmers with innovative technology and resources to tackle climate challenges, ensuring sustainable practices and food supplies for future generations," Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said.

“The launch of this seasonal drought forecast is a significant step forward in our ability to support farmers across NSW.

“By providing timely information, we can help our agricultural community prepare for and respond to the challenges of drought.

The new service will provide vital insights for farmers and other key agricultural stakeholders allowing them to make better informed decisions for drought preparedness and management.

The forecast uses rainfall and temperature data from the Bureau of Meteorology’s seasonal forecast in the existing Enhanced Drought Information System (EDIS) to generate the most likely drought status for up to three months ahead. 

The drought forecast will be provided along with valuable information about the certainty of the forecast and its historical performance, allowing users to better anticipate and prepare for potential drought conditions.

The drought forecast is underpinned by extensive scientific evaluation of its accuracy over the past 40 years of overlapping observations and model runs.

Future enhancements to the forecast will include location-based information and interactive online tools for accessing data.

The NSW Government remains committed to drought preparedness, by working with communities and our agricultural industry to safeguard the State against the effects of drought. 

View the operational Seasonal Drought Forecast.