Unusually low rainfall for parts of southern and eastern Australia is part of the long-range outlook from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). Temperatures are expected to be above median for most of the country. Soil moisture is below average in southern parts of Australia including SA and Tasmania, reflecting below average rainfall.

Meanwhile, across Gippsland soils are reportedly wetter than last month as heavy rain fell in west Gippsland and northwest Victoria. In Northern areas soils are wet at depth. According to Agriculture Victoria, the autumn break occurred earlier this year for these areas. The Mallee and Wimmera are still awaiting the break which usually occurs mid-May.