Paul Rosser 
August was mid-range with 42.5mm recorded taking our YTD to 259.5mm. The soil is very dry at present & some people gave their gardens a sprinkle with the hose this last month. We did for one day in mid-August.
How are we going against the last 12 years?
Year Monthly Total Year to Date
2024 42.5mm 259.5mm (YTD)
2023 40.0mm 408.5mm
2022 83.0mm 334.5mm
2021 54.5mm 356.5mm
2020 61.0mm 354.0mm
2019 39.0mm 263.5mm
2018 82.5mm 249.0mm
2017 93.0mm 392.5mm
2016 64.0mm 430.5mm
2015 37.0mm 391.0mm
2014 19.0mm 314.0mm
2013 80.0mm 406.0mm
2012 55.0mm 435.0mm
This last August was the fifth lowest in the last 12 years & the YTD was the second lowest.
Forecasters in South Australia are expecting an above average spring rainfall. This is because the Indian Ocean Dipole is heading into negative during this time & that usually means more rain in our state. The Pacific is still in neutral. Some estimates are for 20/30% more rain than usual. This is good for us on rain water & for our soils as we go into summer. Grape growers will be on alert for Downey Mildew. It will also protect us from an early start to the bushfire season.
The Kaurna winter is still in play, with emphasis on windy conditions right through until November. For them spring starts around the beginning of October. More about that next month.
For us, the Black Cockatoos are back with a flock of around 120 passing over our place in the last two weeks The Currawongs have been sighted this last fortnight & the Welcome Swallows have returned too. On the ground the lizards are on the move & one snake was reported to me last week on one of the warmer days. Spring is definitely here.
Paul
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