Hobart hurtling towards record dry for January

Hobart is heading for its driest January on record, with less than 1mm of rain falling since the start of the year.

Hobart is heading for its driest January on record, with less than 1mm of rain falling since the start of the year.

The lowest Hobart rainfall recorded in January is 2.8mm in 2008, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, and there is little prospect of significant rain before the end of the month as forecasts show there will be a maximum of 1mm more by Thursday.

Bureau meteorologist Rachel Mcinerney said the dry spell could be explained by the lack of weather fronts impacting on Tasmania because of blocking highs, which had been relatively immobile.

The strong high-pressure systems have stopped the movement of weather systems from West to East.

Depending on its location and surrounding systems, blocking highs produce a hot spell, a cold spell, dry conditions or wet conditions.

“And often the fronts we have seen have been quite dry,” Ms Mcinerney said.

A system of dry thunderstorms crossed the state on January 15, sparking dozens of bushfires.

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Along with the bushfires, the lack of rainfall is creating a higher demand for freshwater to refill homes relying on tank water.

Rodney Chadwick, of R.D. Chadwick Drinking Water at Woodbridge, fills up at Kingston. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

Rodney Chadwick, of Chadwick R D water cartage, said that people were wanting their tanks topped up even if they might not need it quite yet.

“It’s always a bit dry this time of year, but especially because of the fires,” Mr Chadwick said.

“People are topping their tanks right up even if they don’t need to.”

Mr Chadwick said those who relied on water tanks needed to learn to prepare for drier spells.

“There are too many people living in the country who don’t preserve their water,” he said.

Damien Smith, from Smith’s Water Cartage, agreed the bushfires had prompted more call outs.

In these drier periods, he delivers to about eight to 10 different residencies a day.

“It is dry and it has hit all of a sudden,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith said the average wait for customers wanting their tanks or swimming pools refilled was one to two days, while other times of year he would be able to offer a same-day service.