Sowing time during the autumn “predictability barrier” with its inherent critical decisions dictates whether you will maximise the opportunity of the season and avoid future downside risk.

Much of NSW is now declared satisfactory.

Even so, shorter term forecasts can provide some insight and help operational planning during autumn.

In late 2010 the Australian Bureau of Meteorology made operational the Australian Community Climate and Earth-System Simulator (ACCESS) Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) system.

The ACCESS system is an initiative of CSIRO and BoM, based on the United Kingdom Met Office’s Unified Model/Variational Assimilation system.

It replaces the older locally developed models.

Weekly animated forecasts are now available free from the ACCESS Regional model, which gives quicker output at greater resolution than previously.

Users can choose from a long list of variables, including surface pressure and rainfall, wind speed and direction, temperature, relative humidity and dew point.

The scale of forecast can be viewed globally or State-sized.

Forecast periods out to seven days update at six hourly intervals; two day forecasts update on three hour intervals.

The animated format is dynamic and user friendly and can be paused and progressed as required.

It should be noted that this forecast is computer generated and users are encouraged to check the official forecast before making decisions.

To access the new ACCESS NWP forecast product, visit www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/viewer/index.shtml