July rainfall across Australia dips to 43% below average, BoM reports

Some places in NSW and Queensland had record rainfalls, while Tasmania had its second-driest July on record

Rainfall across Australia was 43% below average in July, continuing a long-term drying trend consistent with rising atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions, the weather bureau says.

The Bureau of Meteorology's climate statement for July says the continent was drier than average across most of its south, from Western Australia to the south-west of New South Wales and including most of Victoria. Tasmania recorded its second-driest July on record behind 1957. South Australia had its lowest rainfall for the month since 1997.