Example where media statements are wildly at odds with rainfall history

I first heard this on ABC radio this morning – then this headline appeared online – Drought-affected grazier in western Queensland says shooting cattle the only humane option. Including this quote – “…xxxxxx’s station near Hughenden, east of Mount Isa, has not seen decent rain for three years…”
This panel of 3 maps shows rain deciles for three 12 monthly periods –

on left 1 Nov 2010 – 31 Oct 2011 – in centre 1 Nov 2011 – 31 Oct 2012 – on right – 1 Nov 2012 – 31 Oct 2013
How does the ABC publish – “…has not seen decent rain for three years…” – when the facts are so easy to check online.
Obviously the last 12 month period has seen widespread drought in Queensland – but the first two years had a lot of average and above average rain.

2 thoughts on “Example where media statements are wildly at odds with rainfall history”

  1. According to Hughenden AP, they have had 5 years in a row of above average rainfall (2008-2012 incl).
    In 1918, they only had 3mm from May to October (incl). This year they have around 20mm in the same period – an increase of over 600% (how more ‘alarmist’ can I be?)
    Admittedly they missed out on the monsoonal rain in Jan/Feb this year, so they are looking at a poor year with only 99mm so far.
    Lowest was 150mm in 1926 – 5 months in a row with no rain plus no rain in February.

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