Cropping

Wetter and warmer weather ahead

By Geoff Adams

Jul 26, 2024

Seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey at the Irrigation Farmers Network conference at Moama.

March to June rainfall for northern Victoria was close to average but about half the average rainfall has fallen in July.

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Agriculture Victoria seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey told the Irrigation Farmers Network conference temperatures have been close to average, but minimums much cooler partly due to lack of rainfall and the open skies at night.

Meanwhile, soil moisture in the region north of the divide could stand some more wetting up, but large areas of the north are still carrying moisture left over from last season.

“Even though there has not been much rainfall, no-one is much worried about that because we have a good soil profile,” Mr Grey said.

In his forecast for August to October, he notes the outlook from 12 global model forecasts for Victorian rainfall is split between neutral and likely wetter.

He points out that ‘neutral’ means the forecast models show an equal spread of average, drier or wetter eventualities are possible.

Through the same period, the temperature outlook from 11 global model forecasts is for likely warmer weather across Victoria.

For the approaching summer, the outlook from nine global model forecasts is split between neutral and likely wetter across Victoria.