South-East Local Land Services

Drought conditions remain stable, but variable across the region.

• The Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) shows approximately 9% of the region is in the Drought Affected category at the end of November.
• November rainfall was average to below average across much of the central and southern parts the region, which continues to contribute to the variation in conditions being experienced.
• Drought conditions persist in the south and west of the region, particularly the southern Monaro and Yass, where the values for the indicators remain low due to rainfall deficits over several months.
• Further rainfall is needed to improve conditions, maintain soil moisture levels and plant growth through summer.
• Producers continue to monitor forecasts closely and are implementing farm management strategies in line with conditions.
• The drought forecast suggests that an expansion of the Drought-Affected category in the south and north of the region 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 or from the influence of forestry operations.

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

Individual Drought Indicators

Drought indicators are variable across the region.

• While still high in many areas, the drought indicator values have declined for some regions over the past month.
• Other areas are experiencing low indicator values and a continuation in drought conditions.
• Further rainfall is needed to improve conditions in the south, and maintain positive production outlooks in other parts of the region.

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