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OT: Moorabal/Lal Lal wind farm 7-Jul-2009 At 4:32:55 PM GravityHound

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This is the map of changes in rainfall in Australia since 1900. Make up your mind what is 'significant' and what isn't. 50 mm reduction for Central Vic in itself might not seem too bad but when you consider this is about 10% of the current average rainfall for some of these areas, I tend to think that it is significant. Worst for most of Australia is that reductions are occuring in winter, rainfall that traditionally recharged soil profiles when evapotranspiration is low. In the middle of a drought, 50 mm can be the difference between harvesting your wheat and making money, or feeding it stock to keep them alive......

Mind you, if we get decent rainfall over the next few years this trend could reverse. Seeing as models are hinting towards both a La Nina and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole for later this year means it is unlikely this will be the year we get the rainfall we need to correct the reduction. We will see though.

Also consider the 5 year and 11 year rolling trends in the data form your link R James. When you plot these there is not such a prolonged period of dry in Victoria since 1900.