EYES will be eagerly looking skyward for rain forecast today, with many SA farmers still waiting on a season break.
Good falls were received in some areas on Tuesday, but strong winds of up to 75 kilometres an hour blew away the benefits of the moisture in parts.
The South East was the major beneficiary of this week's rain, along with the Mount Lofty Ranges and Adelaide Plains.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, big tallies were recorded at Mount Gambier with 25 millimetres, Lucindale 22mm, Uraidla 20mm and Gumeracha 30mm, while Ashton recorded the highest Tuesday total for the state with 37mm.
Kangaroo Island, County Light, Yorke Peninsula and the Upper SE received 5-10mm on average, but the Lower North and SA's western and eastern agricultural districts largely missed out, with 5mm at best.
The west was slightly luckier last week, receiving season-breaking falls, while the Lower North had 10-20mm, but the Murraylands, Riverland and Mallee did not reach double figures for the week or have any rain of significance on Tuesday.
Elders Loxton agronomist Brian Lynch said year-to-date rainfall totals had not hit double figures in his region.
"I doubt we have had 150mm of rain in the past 18 months," he said.
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Despite the dry, Mr Lynch said seeding had started, mainly on more reliable, lower risk ground, such as fallow and legume stubbles.
He remained dubious about any rain forecast this week or for the rest of May.
"I think we will be into June before seeding even gets serious," he said.
But there were positives to come from the lack of rain.
"Farmers have saved thousands of dollars on inputs, as summer sprays and knockdowns haven't been required," Mr Lynch said.
"Unfortunately that has an effect on the local economy, when spending is tightened."
It won't be as windy as Tuesday, but it will be fresh.
- DARREN RAY, BoM
BoM SA senior climatologist Darren Ray was more positive about the rain expected today, with up to 10mm forecast for the agricultural areas and up to 20mm through the ranges and coastal areas.
"Small showers are expected to continue around the coastal areas on Friday and into Saturday, but clears off on the weekend," he said.
"It won't be as windy as Tuesday, but it will be fresh."
Beyond the weekend, Mr Ray said there was not a lot on the horizon.
"From May 20, there may be an increase in cold frontal systems, but they still aren't expected to drop heaps of rain, a few millimetres at best," he said.
"Looking ahead, the outlook is still fairly dry."
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Alisha Fogden
Journalist at Australian Community Media newspapers since 2007.
Journalist at Australian Community Media newspapers since 2007.
