New South Wales (NSW), Australia, has recorded its second-driest April on record, receiving only 13% of its average rainfall, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). This significant drop in precipitation is attributed to persistent high pressure in the region and is expected to continue into winter, coinciding with the likely development of El Niño, which is often associated with drier conditions in Australia. Senior climatologist Hugh McDowell noted that the lack of rain is affecting soil moisture levels, which are now very low in parts of NSW, posing risks for farmers and increasing the likelihood of bushfires in the upcoming season. While the Northern Territory was wetter than usual, the rest of the country faced below-average rainfall. Climate scientists, including Dr. Mandy Freund from the University of Melbourne, emphasize that while El Niño may not guarantee low rainfall, it raises the chances of dry conditions, particularly from September to November. The BoM reports multi-year rainfall deficiencies in various regions, including the western slopes of NSW and parts of Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania. With water storages in the Murray-Darling Basin at 48% capacity, experts warn that significant and persistent rainfall is needed to alleviate the ongoing drought conditions. Overall, Australia is experiencing a prolonged dry regime, exacerbated by climate change, which is linked to increased occurrences of extreme weather events.