Drier week for western NSW | Weather In Focus

The passage of a low pressure trough and ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther brought more than a month's worth of rain to some areas in western NSW during the first week of March.

Condobolin's 92mm so far this month is more than double their March average of 40mm.

At Fowlers Gap, the 145mm that fell last week makes this their wettest March on record.

This was also more rain than they saw during the past two years combined.

Last week's rain follows above average falls in many other parts of NSW during February.

This has been a welcome change from the exceptionally dry conditions that occurred across the state last year.

In 2019, NSW experienced its driest year on record and registered nine consecutive months of below average statewide rainfall from April to December.

This capped off a multi-year dry spell that has left significant long-term rainfall deficits across the state.

Despite the recent rain, more than 90 per cent of NSW was still classified as being in one of three drought categories at the end of last week, according to the NSW Department of Primary industries.

These were: Drought Affected (54.2pc), Drought (30.9pc) and Intense Drought (8.7pc).

Of the remaining areas in NSW, 1.1pc were in the Recovering category and 5.1pc in Non Drought.

Looking ahead, showers and thunderstorms could develop over parts of southern and central inland NSW with the passage of a low pressure trough this weekend.

However, widespread heavy falls are unlikely from this system.

Most areas west of the ranges will see little or no rain during the week ahead.