This portal has been developed to support growers and the broader horticultural industry through the forecast dry times by providing a suite of resources and information to inform decision making.

For additional information and advice, growers are advised to contact their Peak Industry Body and/or relevant Federal and State Government agencies (many of these are listed on this page).

In September 2023, the Bureau of Meteorology declared that El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) were underway.

The Bureau stated that warmer and drier conditions would be more likely over spring and summer for parts of Australia, under the influence of these two climate drivers.

Both El Niño and a positive IOD tend to draw rain away from Australia. El Niño events increase the risk of extreme temperature shifts, such as heatwaves and hotter days.

The last time Australia encountered both El Niño and a positive IOD was in 2015.

For a summarised El Niño explanation video, and what it means for the different regions across Australia, click here.

For up-to-date information about the outlook, go to: