Many parts of Australia can thank their above average January rainfall at least in part to a strong phase of the Madden Julian Oscillation.

The NSW Rural Fire Service is investigating reports a fire fighting plane has crashed in that state's Monaro region

There remain no clear indicators either way for 2020, but the positive signs are the negative rainfall indicators all appear to be fading at this stage.

The sky turned black in just minutes, readers say.

Water deficiencies have been declared in the Grass Patch area in the Shire of Esperance and northern part of the Shire of Jerramungup.

Farmers in drought-hit parts of Australia say they are happy to see the back of 2019.

This year commences with a little optimism following one of the most challenging years, in the past century.

The wine industry is one of the most exposed sectors of agriculture to pressures due to climate change.

The heat this week may cause some concern for the SA cherry harvest, but "reasonable" yields are still expected.

Volatility in macro-climatic factors like the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) due to climate change makes long term forecasting harder.