Central Tablelands Local Land Services

Drought conditions persist and expand for some areas, with additional rainfall needed for further recovery.

• The Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) shows approximately 67% of the region being in the Drought Affected category at the end of May.
• May rainfall has been average to below average for the much of the region and insufficient to continue to build on recent improvements.
• This has seen the slowing of recovery in some areas, and parts of the west and south east have moved back into the Drought Affected category. This has largely been driven by a decline in soil moisture levels.
• 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)

There has been a further decline in the plant greenness values since the last Update.

• Plant greenness levels are highly variable across the region.
• Rainfall totals were average for May and many areas still have below average levels of plant greenness.
• There are areas where pasture growth may be slowing and becoming dormant as cooler temperatures are experienced.
• Some of the extremely negative NDVI areas (brown patches) are water bodies.

Individual drought indicators

Drought indicators responded to May rainfall at some locations but are declining at others.

• Due to the timing and variability of rainfall events, the indicators are responding at different rates, indicating contrasting conditions on the ground.
• Continued rainfall will be needed to ensure the underlying indicators continue to build on recent improvements.
• Producers continue to monitor conditions closely in conjunction with forecasts and outlooks entering winter.

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