Tough winter ahead for farmers, with more wild weather lacking rainfall

Welcome relief could be on the way for many dry Tassie gardens and paddocks — but the winter forecast could spell a harsh season ahead for some struggling farmers. The latest warnings >>

Pinnacle lookout kunanyi/ Mount Wellington. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tasmania will start the week with more wind and rain following recent wild, battering weather — yet some drought-impacted parts of the state could have a harsh winter ahead.

A statewide severe weather warning issued on Friday brought damaging winds and rain that left thousands without power.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) recorded a whopping 152km/h wind speed at Mount Wellington on Thursday, the highest recorded in Tasmania, with Maatsuyker Island recording 143km/h and a still impressive 106km/h on King Island.

Adrian and Ally Della Franca of Perth, Western Australia at the Pinnacle lookout kunanyi/ Mount Wellington. Picture: Chris Kidd

The most rainfall for Tasmania surprisingly appeared in the drought-affected north, with Fisher River near Deloraine collecting 71mm over Thursday evening and Friday morning.

BOM Meteorologist Matthew Thomas said a new low pressure system sweeping Tasmania on Sunday evening into Monday would bring damaging winds predicted for the north-east and rainfall to hit the east and southeast.

“We’re looking at around 30 to 60mm about the east coast, but we could see higher totals in the 80 to 100mm about some isolated locations on the east coast,” he said.

“In the southeast, we’re looking at around 15 to 40mm of rainfall, with potential isolated spots getting a little bit higher around 50mm.”

Mr Thomas said the low pressure system would move out of the state late Monday or early Tuesday, leaving potential “lingering” showers.

Pinnacle lookout kunanyi/ Mount Wellington. Picture: Chris Kidd

The Furneaux Islands, central north, north east and parts of the east coast and Midlands could experience peak gusts up to 90km/h Sunday evening that will ease around Monday afternoon.

Winter climate models suggest the state will have normal winter weather, but Mr Thomas said the rainfall is forecast for “below median” across the northeast, northwest and Bass Strait islands.

TasFarmers president and northern Tasmanian lamb farmer Ian Sauer said farmers in most areas of the state were still experiencing an “enormous deficit” of water, with the lack of rainfall in winter set to compound industry problems.

“Farmers are having to make tough decisions everywhere at the moment,” he said.

“Fodder and grain are as rare as hen’s teeth and expensive when you can get it, so now farmers are having to sell of their livestock to keep on top, with a backlog now to take their livestock to the abattoir.”

Gus Barnett (9mths) of Hobart at the Pinnacle lookout kunanyi/ Mount Wellington. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Sauer said the area near his Pipers Brook farm was still “very, very dry”, with the limited rainfall forecasted proving it would be a tough winter for farmers.

“The secret for all farmers is keeping their livestock in good condition,” he said.

“I need my sheep in good condition for lambing, and for some it may mean we have to fork out for fodder or grain to keep them fed while our paddocks are stark.

“Every farmer has their fingers and toes crossed to make it through.”