Soil Water Index (SWI)

The Soil Water Index remains variable across NSW.

• Follow up rainfall through April has continued the improvement in the SWI for parts of northeast and western NSW.
• Much of southern NSW remains in a strong production position for the remainder of autumn and entering winter.
• Concerns about low soil moisture remains for many regions in NSW continuing to manage a longer-term drought event.
• NSW DPI is closely monitoring areas in the Central Tablelands, Central West, Riverina, and Murray LLS Regions. Warm daytime and overnight temperatures, along with short-term rainfall deficits have contributed to a declining trend in the SWI in these regions.
• The impacts of the early April rain event have seen modest improvements in the SWI, particularly in areas receiving high rainfall totals and follow-up rain later in April.