Drought conditions to continue says agricultural climatologist

But according to the main climate factors, which dictate the weather pattern, a break is unlikely anytime soon.

NSW Department of Primary Industries Agricultural climatologist Anthony Clark expects drought conditions to continue at least until the end of February, and likely well beyond that.

READ MORE:

There is a glimmer of hope though, and that lies in the reset that happens in the weather pattern between February and March.

Mr Clark said there was still a chance that the pattern could shift into a more favourable mode.

"It's when you can get the onset of El Nina conditions - the higher probability of wet conditions across Australia, or, a really big persistent shift in one of these climate drivers."

Mr Clark said it would take a significant shift in the climate drivers to bring soaking rain - and lots of it.

"We need a really big shift in energy," he said.

Read more: The Big Dry

"When it happens there will be a very rapid breakdown, it could be a really strong monsoon, a quite large low pressure system, an ex-tropical low that might migrate or a shift in the El Nino-Southern Oscillation - that's really what everyone is looking for to be a drought breaker."

Most farmers across the state have been battling this drought since 2017. Right now 100 per cent of the state is in drought and more than half is classified as being in intense drought.

That is taking a huge toll on soil moisture levels as well as crop production and pasture growth.

Water resources across the state are declining and farmers are being forced to pay high prices for fodder to keep their animals alive.

January to November rainfall across the country was the second-lowest on record, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. The lowest was recorded in 1902.

In fact, most of the country has received below average rainfall, with the exception of central and northern Queensland.

The only short-term reprieve will come in the form of isolated storms, but since storm season started in October the inland Hunter region is yet to see any meaningful falls.

Some parts of northern NSW and southern Queensland were fortunate to receive some rain last week.

"Later on this summer we will see these isolated storms come through and we will certainly get some isolated regional relief - as we did last summer, but in terms of breaking the statewide drought it's the large change in atmospheric conditions that we are after," Mr Clark said.

Support the local news that keeps you informed - subscribe today

Have your say. Click this link to send a letter to the editor