Bureau of Meteorology senior climatologist Catherine Ganter will be at the BCG Future Farmers Expo, 5 July, to discuss how the season is progressing.
Last week, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) downgraded their El Niño watch to ‘inactive’ in response to current model predictions.
While the El Niño Southern Oscillation index (ENSO) may no longer be having a large effect on the season, other climate drivers are shaping up that may negatively impact weather patterns.
Ms Ganter will discuss the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), the westerly wind belt that circles Antarctica.
“I’m keen to help farmers understand what the Southern Annular Mode is, and how it affects Victoria as it’s an important driver of rainfall variability in southern Australia.”
Ms Ganter’s presentation will also include the latest seasonal outlook for July, August and September.
With crops across the Wimmera and Mallee starting to want rain, this session will provide Expo attendees with the perfect opportunity to build their understanding of climate drivers and get a handle on what we can expect heading into spring.
Ms Ganter believes that the event will also provide a great opportunity for the Bureau to hear and learn from growers.
“I am looking forward to hearing what the latest developments in the region are. The BCG Future Farmers Expo provides the perfect opportunity to talk to growers, hear what is going on, what they want to know, and most importantly what we can do to help,” she said.
Ms Ganter will be accompanied by BoM forecaster Tom Fejes who forecasts for the public and aviation industry.
The BCG Future Farmers Expo is at Birchip P-12 School on 5 July from 11am to 5pm. Entry is free for BCG members and $50 for non-members. A tapas style dinner will follow the event from 6pm at the Birchip Hotel, tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased by phoning BCG on (03) 5492 2787 or visiting www.bcg.org.au.
