Australia Weather News

The Bureau of Meteorology has labelled the past five months as the wettest period on record in New South Wales.

The bureau's figures have been highlighted in the NSW Department of Primary Industries' (DPI) latest conditions report, showing above-average rainfall of up to more than 400 per cent of average for the state's western region.

DPI seasonal conditions coordinator Ian McGowan said crop damage was expected to exceed $680 million, with livestock production also impacted.

He said there could be a reprieve for farmers, with several agencies forecasting a near-equal chance of dry or wet conditions for November.

"Quite extensive areas of the north-west right through the central-west right throughout to the Riverina in the south and the tablelands received rainfall of around about 200 to 400 per cent of average," Mr McGowan said.

The almost $700 million damage bill to crops in western New South Wales was expected to rise significantly once remaining floodwater subsided.

Mr McGowan said the majority of production had been hampered by conditions.

He said the damage bill would not be confirmed until harvest was completed.

"It's the best estimate that we have at the moment, which has been from aerial surveys, reports from landholders themselves, and whilst it's the best estimate we have at the moment, it's very likely that that will be greatly increased," Mr McGowan said.

"We probably won't really know until the harvest is finished."