April's rainfall varied wildly from one part of the country to the other - some did very well, others are continuing to experience dry conditions.
A few slow moving rain systems crossed the NT and Queensland delivering above average rain to most, some significantly by more than four times the average.
Northeastern NSW did well, along with select pockets in eastern Gippsland in Victoria, as well as southwestern NSW and the eastern Mallee in Victoria.
In the west, a few weather systems delivered the perfect combination - low pressure meeting up with tropical moisture, to slowly move through delivering rain to everyone in their path, including inland parts.
The majority of the southeast is a very different story.
The vast majority received less than half their average April rain, and a significant portion less than 20 percent.
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This dry vs wet is clearly seen in the temperature map too.
The dry went hand in hand with heat, with a huge part of the southaest as much as 3 to 4 degrees above average.
Conversely, much of Queensland and the NT were 1 to 3 degrees below average, as the cloud and rain settled in.
The long lasting hot and dry has exascerbated drought conditions in the southeast. A huge area from southern SA, western Victoria (and western Gippsland), plus the majority of Tasmania are in Serious Deficiency to Severe Deficiency - with some Lowest on Record.
The outlook for May isn't great if you are looking for rain. The vast majority of the country is likely to see drier than average weather, as the climate drivers aren't sending anything to us at the moment.
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This drought began in last years 'autumn break' when regular cold fronts cross the south after a break over summer. A driver known as SAM was positive for much of last year, and has spent much of 2025 so far also in positive. You can follow along with SAM in the seasonal outlook.
