NQ Climate Outlook June Report

Seasonal Climate Outlook for North Queensland (June report) now available

The Seasonal Climate Outlook for Tropical North Queensland (June 2026) is now available – provided by the Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub. This resource offers insights to support growers, advisors, and industry stakeholders with seasonal planning and risk management.

Prepared by Prof Roger Stone and Dr Christa Pudmenzky, the outlook reviews a range of established and emerging climate forecasting systems and highlights several key climate signals, including:

• An El Niño has now developed, with a mixed rainfall outlook forecast across Tropical North Queensland for the June to August period. Above-average rainfall probabilities are expected for parts of the Far North Tropical Coast, particularly around Innisfail, while close to normal or below normal conditions are forecast for much of the remainder of the region.
• The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) is now in a consistently negative phase, reflecting the developing El Niño pattern. The next Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) event is expected around mid-July and may increase the likelihood of rainfall across the region in the short term.
• Longer-term forecasting models indicate an increased likelihood of drier conditions later in the year, with low rainfall probabilities forecast for much of Tropical North Queensland during the winter–spring period.

Growers and industry partners can review the full report here and consider how seasonal climate signals may inform planning for the months ahead.

Subscribe and learn more

• Visit the TNQ Drought Hub for more information
• Subscribe to the TNQ Hub Newsletter here

This article appears as part of the 19 June 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.