Interactive Drought Map Using the web map

Using the map and timeseries charts

The Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) is used by NSW DPIRD to classify drought in New South Wales. It integrates weather, climate, soil, and land-use datasets into a single framework to help decision making.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of the interactive NSW-CDI map and drought timeseries.

Searching the map

The NSW-CDI map has a search function in the top left hand corner of the map.

  1. Use the search function to find your address or town by typing the location you want to find.
    • As you type, location options will appear in a drop down. You can click on the corresponding one you want. The map will automatically zoom to the location you have selected.
    • You can also use the check location to make sure the details you have entered are valid, and if successful the map will automatically zoom to the location you entered.
  2. If the search is unsuccessful, you will see an error message. Try searching for your Local Government Area instead or adding more details in the search like Wentworth, NSW.
  3. You can explore the map by using the zoom in/out button.

Exploring the map

  1. Zoom in to a region to explore the NSW-CDI status for that area.
  2. Click on the map to see information about a particular parish you are interested in.
  3. The pop-up box will display the parish name, the NSW-CDI category for that parish, and the values of the underlying indicators.
  4. The name of the parish will also be displayed below the left-hand corner of the map.
  5. Use the Back button to return to either the Region or NSW extent of the map.

Exploring the drought indicators over time

Changes to the NSW-CDI indicators over time can be displayed for an individual parish.

  1. When you have zoomed in to a Parish, below the CDI map and the pie chart, you will find a drought timeseries showing the NSW-CDI and underlying indicators for that parish.
  2. You can also see how the drought indicators have changed over time and for different time periods.
  3. Click on a different Parish and the chart will update.

How to interpret the drought timeseries chart

The three lines on the drought timeseries chart represent the three underlying drought indicators that DPIRD monitors.

  1. The blue line is the Rainfall Index (RI), the purple line is the Soil Water Index (SWI) and the green line is the Plant Growth Index (PGI).
  2. The colour bar below the line chart shows the category of the Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) at that point in time.
  3. The 5th, 30th and 50th percentile levels used to determine the drought categories in the NSW-CDI are displayed on the chart.
  4. Depending on the values of each index, the Combined Drought Indicator category will change. Check the value of the indicators  as well as the rate of change in each indicator. Trends and patterns provide as much useful information as the raw indicator values.
  5. Click here to find out more about how each NSW-CDI category is determined.

Print the drought timeseries chart

  1. Click on the print button next to the drought timeseries chart.
  2. A pop up will appear where you can change the page orientation and size and then print the chart.

How to download a drought timeseries chart

A drought timeseries chart for every parish in NSW can also be downloaded on our Seasonal Conditions Information Portal.

  • Click here to be taken directly to the drought timeseries page on the portal. Enter your parish in the search bar to find the drought history chart you are looking for.
  • Some charts might have two entries for the same parish. This is because there is another parish in NSW with the same name.
  • Use the Local Land Services region and County details on the chart to help you identify the correct parish when using the portal.

Trouble shooting

  1. The map does not zoom to the location I have selected, even though the search is successful.
    1. Try clicking in the search box and re-select the location option from the drop down menu.
    2. Use the ‘Back’ button on the map and go back to the NSW view and search again
    3. Try being more specific in you search by adding NSW to your location: e.g., Wentworth, NSW
Back to CDI map