Patchy spring rainfall as sizzling summer looms

It has been a wet spring so far in many parts of the state, although some regions have been experiencing below-average rainfall.

In September, rainfall was above average across the West and South, below average along the East Coast, and average in parts of the North East.

Tasmania as a whole experienced an average of 179.7mm during the month, 33 per cent above the 1961–1990 average.

Weather stations at Ouse, Hartz Mountain, Derwent Bridge and Warra had their highest September rainfall on record.

As of October 13, Ross had recorded 19mm for the month so far, while Marrawah and Swansea recorded 71mm and 25mm respectively.

Bureau of Meteorology senior climatologist Jonathan Pollock said September was the first month with widespread above-average rainfall across Western Tasmania since December 2024.

“The rainfall was really persistent across the West and the South,” Mr Pollock said.

“There was rainfall almost every day of the month somewhere in Western Tasmania.

“It didn’t all occur in one or two big events.”

Mr Pollock said he did not know why the East Coast experienced a drier September, and that for the state as a whole, it looked like November and December would see average rainfall.

“However, we’re likely to see above average rainfall for patches of the North East during November and there’s a slightly increased chance of above average rainfall for some of those same areas in December.

“Looking at the summer forecast overall, there’s a bit of a wet signal for parts of the North and North East.

“But for most of the state, or at least the South and the West, there’s not a strong push either way.”

Tasmanians should also brace for a hotter-than-average November and December.

“Looking back at September, maximum temperatures were pretty close to average for most of the state,” Mr Pollock said.

“But they were a bit warmer than usual for the North East and Bass Strait Islands, and minimum temperatures were warmer than average across the North and East.”

Extractas field operations manager Noel Beven said the wet weather was posing problems for poppy growers.

“But there are also parts of the state that are basically in drought, and once you get south of Ross, there’s a severe deficiency in rainfall,” Mr Beven said.

“Some of those areas are 150mm behind their yearly average.

“So the dry is as difficult for them as the wet is in other places.”

Mr Bevan said this would result in a late poppy season for Tasmania.

“We had a very dry winter – there was very little farm water storage.

“That problem’s now been rectified over the bulk of the state.

“But because it’s as wet as it is, it’s difficult to get crop in the ground.”

But now that daylight saving time has begun, bringing longer days, Mr Beven said that should change.

“The ground will dry up quickly, and we’ve now got good ground moisture and good stored moisture.

“We’d expect that this type of weather we’re having at the moment will blow itself out and return to somewhat more normal spring conditions.

“And once it does that, then everything will grow like mad and it’ll be easier to get the crop in the ground because the ground will dry out more quickly.”