By Jeremy Sollars
Independent Queensland weather forecaster Higgins Storm Chasing is tipping the drought is unlikely to break any earlier than between April and June next year.
In a video posted to his Facebook page this week Jeff Higgins predicts a 70 to 80 per cent chance of a “weak to moderate” El Nino developing from October to April 2019 which will prolong the dry conditions across eastern Australia.
As well as summer heatwaves, he is also predicting dangerous dust storms across Queensland and New South Wales over the next several months and a continued heightened bushfire risk.
Mr Higgins says while there will be “some rain and storms” likely over the summer months it won’t be enough to break the drought.
“I’ve been doing a lot of research and if this drought follows history it won’t break until somewhere between April and June 2019,” he says in the video.
Mr Higgins says drought charities are fielding up to 3000 emails a week from primary producers seeking help across Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia, and slams the federal government for excessive paperwork required from farmers seeking monetary assistance.
He also raises the issue of national fodder supplies disappearing completely in the next few months, speculating that the RSPCA may be called on to euthanise animals such as horses owned by hobby farmers and small acreage owners.
Mr Higgins has called on the federal government to formally declare the current drought a natural disaster and bring in the Army to assist with drought relief.
Watch the Facebook video here – www.facebook.com/HigginsStormChasing/videos/2152810464966555/
