Widespread rain has weakened the drought across much of New South Wales, but farmers are being warned much more is needed to break the dry.
Parts of the state classified as being in drought has fallen from 100 per cent to 94.9 per cent, according to the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Several hundred millimetres of rain in February saw Greater Sydney and parts of the Mid-North Coast come out of drought, along with parts of the state's upper west.
"Some areas are seeing some good pasture growth and some of the soil moisture conditions have improved," DPI Seasonal Conditions coordinator Scott Wallace said
"We are seeing the nature of the drought changing.
"It's important to remember there's still a long way to go, but the potential for drought recovery down the track is in reach."
Chance of 'false recovery'
Regions across NSW classified as being in intense drought fell from 39 per cent to 8 per cent since early February, the DPI's Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) showed.
The CDI's reading is based on a variety of factors including rainfall, soil moisture, and pasture and crop growth indices.
Mr Wallace said follow-up rain is vital in the months ahead, with the Bureau of Meteorology's autumn forecast showing a neutral chance of either above average or below average rainfall in NSW.
"The rainfall in some areas, particularly the far west of the state, really hasn't been enough so far to change conditions on the ground," Mr Wallace said.
"We are still highly vulnerable to conditions turning dry and what we call a 'false recovery.'"
The recent falls in western NSW have restored hope among farmers, who are now preparing to sow winter crops.
The rain has also filled dams and revived pastures thanks to mild autumn days.
