Western Local Land Services

Conditions generally remain steady across the region.

• The Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) shows that 94% of the region is in the Recovery or Non-Drought category at the end of November.
• November rainfall was average to above average across the region. Good totals were received across parts of the Drought Affected areas in the southwest. The influence of the rainfall at the end of November will be captured in the next Update.
• The region in the Drought Affected category has remained generally stable for several months. Recent and further follow-up rainfall should build on any recent improvements in the underlying drought indicators.
• Producers continue to monitor forecasts closely and adjust their summer enterprise management strategies accordingly.
• The drought forecast suggests a decrease in the Drought-Affected category is likely by the end of February 2025, with some areas transitioning into the Recovery category. 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 remain variable but high at most locations.

• Further rainfall will continue the improvement in conditions and maintain the positive production outlooks for many locations.
• Indicators at Wentworth are responding to November rainfall, although the region remains in the Drought Affected category.
• Further rainfall is crucial to maintain and improve production conditions.

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