As we reach mid-June, residents of Queensland might have noticed the unusual dryness. The most significant rainfall was at the month’s start when a cloud band brought showers to the interior and coastal Queensland. Since then, rain has been scarce, confined to coastal regions. A persistent high-pressure ridge is channeling dry winds from the interior, keeping the skies almost cloudless. 

Image: Satellite image at 1:40pm EST on Saturday, June 15.

Typically, June sees the highest rainfall in the state’s east, ranging from 50-200mm (marked in dark green on the map), and in the southeast, with 25-50mm (light green).

Image: Average June rainfall, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

However, in the first half of June this year, the highest state rainfall has been just 65mm in Menavale (south of Cairns). Brisbane received a mere 9.6mm, just 16% of its monthly average.

Looking ahead, the forecast for the next seven days suggests no rainfall for most of Queensland, except for possible light showers in the extreme south and far north, with a maximum of 10mm expected by June 21st.

Image: 7-day total precipitation on Sunday, June 21, according to ECMWF. 

With the high-pressure system’s continued influence, the likelihood of Queensland concluding the month with below-average rainfall is significant.