Central West Local Land Services

Drought conditions improve in the south of the region.

• The Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) shows approximately 70% of the region being in the Drought Affected category at the end of April.
• There has been average rainfall for most of the region although on-ground reports suggest that this has been highly variable during April.
• This rainfall will aid winter cropping programs and livestock producers taking advantage of late pasture growth.
• Producers continue to monitor forecasts closely and implement drought management strategies as required for their farm enterprises for the remainder of Autumn.
• The NSW DPI 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 (NDVI)

Although there has been a slight decline in the plant greenness values since the last Update, levels remain above average across most of the region.

• Parts the north and north-east have decline over the past month have below normal plant greenness levels. This corresponds with those regions that have had below average rainfall since the start of 2024.
• Some of the extremely negative NDVI areas (brown patches) are water bodies.

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

Individual Drought Indicators

Drought indicators remain variable across the region and continue to respond to recent rainfall.

• Rainfall has been effective in improving plant growth and soil water indicators across the region.
• Further rainfall is needed to aid the continued improvement in conditions.
• The are locations, like Coonabarabran for example, where the drought indicators are at much lower levels than at other sites in the district.
• Producers continue to monitor conditions closely in conjunction with forecasts and outlooks.
• To access a Drought History chart for your Parish, visit the Seasonal Conditions Information Portal