Lucky_Phill
26-03-2003, 02:36 PM
Primary Industries & Rural Communities, Henry Palaszczuk
25/03/03
El Nino's fate to be determined within weeks
The Queensland Government has urged forecasters and commentators not to prematurely declare the drought broken with the fate of the El Nino still unclear, Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk said today.
Mr Palaszczuk said it was far too early and far too dry to contemplate declaring the drought broken, although good falls of rain had replenished some dams and caused flooding in other areas in recent weeks.
"The El Nino's grip has weakened, but it has not given in," Mr Palaszczuk said.
"The Government's Queensland Centre for Climate Applications latest advice is that sea-surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean have cooled and there is increased optimism of the El Nino is breaking down."
"However, the El Nino pattern remains active in the central Pacific and it may continue to linger through to mid or late autumn."
"There also remains a small risk that the El Nino will not fully dissipate and regenerate in some form during autumn or winter this year as was the case in 1992, 1993 and 1994."
Mr Palaszczuk said in order to ensure our primary producers have the clearest and most accurate assessment of the El Nino and the drought, he urged forecasters and commentators to be patient.
"The fate of this El Nino will be determined over the coming days and weeks," he said.
"I would hate to see hopes of the drought breaking raised prematurely, only to be shattered as they were in the early 1990s."
Mr Palaszczuk said the Government will host a national forum of climate and sustainability scientists in Brisbane next month to focus specifically on the drought.
"The capability of climate models to improve our preparedness for drought, and special plant breeding programs that can improve drought tolerance in crops will be among the issues covered at this forum," he said.
Let's hope the bugga goes away soon. ;) ??? ::)
25/03/03
El Nino's fate to be determined within weeks
The Queensland Government has urged forecasters and commentators not to prematurely declare the drought broken with the fate of the El Nino still unclear, Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk said today.
Mr Palaszczuk said it was far too early and far too dry to contemplate declaring the drought broken, although good falls of rain had replenished some dams and caused flooding in other areas in recent weeks.
"The El Nino's grip has weakened, but it has not given in," Mr Palaszczuk said.
"The Government's Queensland Centre for Climate Applications latest advice is that sea-surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean have cooled and there is increased optimism of the El Nino is breaking down."
"However, the El Nino pattern remains active in the central Pacific and it may continue to linger through to mid or late autumn."
"There also remains a small risk that the El Nino will not fully dissipate and regenerate in some form during autumn or winter this year as was the case in 1992, 1993 and 1994."
Mr Palaszczuk said in order to ensure our primary producers have the clearest and most accurate assessment of the El Nino and the drought, he urged forecasters and commentators to be patient.
"The fate of this El Nino will be determined over the coming days and weeks," he said.
"I would hate to see hopes of the drought breaking raised prematurely, only to be shattered as they were in the early 1990s."
Mr Palaszczuk said the Government will host a national forum of climate and sustainability scientists in Brisbane next month to focus specifically on the drought.
"The capability of climate models to improve our preparedness for drought, and special plant breeding programs that can improve drought tolerance in crops will be among the issues covered at this forum," he said.
Let's hope the bugga goes away soon. ;) ??? ::)