ENVIRONMENT

WINTER RAINFALL

The Bureau of Meteorology's 2007 winter climate summary for South Australia reported that the season's rainfall was well below average across the state.

• The Adelaide Metropolitan area's highest aggregate winter rainfall for 2007 was recorded at Kent Town, where 158.4 mm or 71% of the winter average of 223.6mm were reported; Edinburgh RAAF base recorded 93.2 mm (59%) out of a winter average of 156.7mm. Adelaide's (Kent Town) total winter rainfall for 2006 was 58.6mm, or 26% of the winter average, making it Adelaide's driest winter on record.

• The higher parts of the Mount Lofty ranges recorded winter rainfall within normal limits; Mount Barker received 256.6mm (or 84%) out of an annual average of 307.3mm.

• Agricultural districts generally received well below average winter rainfalls, with lowest ever recordings occurring in Parachilna where 4.0 mm , or 7% of the winter average of 55.4 mm; Ceduna, 22.8mm (21% of 110.3mm); Penong, 33.0mm (26% of 128.3mm); and Angaston, 71.4mm (34% of 212.6mm). For the 2006 winter, rainfall in the far west agricultural districts was about average, while the southeast experienced very much below average rainfall.

• The pastoral districts received well below average winter rain. Andamooka, with 2.8 mm of rain (and a winter average of 41.9 mm) and Danggali Conservation Park, with 12.4mm (winter average of 65.7mm) both had their lowest winter rainfalls on record. In 2006, winter rainfall ranged from near average in the northern and eastern parts of the pastoral districts, to very much below average over the central and southern parts.

The Southeastern Australia Seasonal Rainfall Outlook from the Bureau of Meteorology (23 August) predicted that total spring (September to November) rainfall for the southeast of South Australia has a 60% to 65% chance of being less than average, while the probability for the rest of the state being drier than average is about 50% to 55%.

On September 11, Premier Rann announced that a very slight improvement in predicted rainfalls in the Adelaide Hills would allow easing of Adelaide's water restrictions.

RESERVOIR LEVELS

The total water storage in Adelaide's reservoirs at 3 September 2007 (the end of winter and beginning of spring) was 79% of capacity, compared with 55% at the same time in 2006.