Riverina Local Land Services

Conditions and outlooks are positive in the west of the region; conditions improve slightly in the east.

• The Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) shows approximately 34% of the region is in one of the drought categories at the end of November.
• November rainfall was average to above average in the west of the region and below average in the east. The longer-term rainfall deficits continue in the east of the region.
• Rainfall during November has not been sufficient to ease conditions in some of the Drought Affected areas. The influence of the rainfall at the end of November will be captured in the next Update.
• Warmer temperatures will see the management of soil moisture and farm water supply remain a consideration for producers entering summer. Production outlooks remain strong in the west of the region.
• The region has also been impacted by above average temperatures during November. This, along with recent rainfall, has likely impacted harvest operations, and potentially also affected grain quality.
• Producers continue to monitor forecasts closely and are implementing farm management strategies in line with conditions, with a focus on preparing for a longer dry period than anticipated.
• The drought forecast suggests a slight expansion of the Drought-Affected category is likely by the end of February 2025. The DPIRD continues to closely monitor conditions in this region.

Click on the scroll bar below the map to compare with previous months.

Normalised Difference Vegetation Index

Plant greenness levels remain variable across the region for the September to November period; anomalies remain below average for parts of the region.

Note that some of the extremely negative NDVI areas (brown patches) are water bodies.

The NDVI anomaly is a useful measure of vegetation density and plant health. It estimates the amount of green vegetation there is in the landscape compared to what is expected at the given time of year, against the baseline period 1987 - 2020.

Click on the scroll bar below the map to compare with previous months.

Individual Drought Indicators

Drought indicators continue to remain low in the east

• The drought indicator values continue to remain low in the east, and the Gundagai region is close to reaching in Intense Drought threshold.
• Timely and effective follow up rainfall will be crucial through summer, particularly in the east of the region.
• The full impact of the rainfall in the region will not be reported on until the January 2025 Update.

To access a Drought History chart for your Parish, visit the Seasonal Conditions Information Portal.