Multivariate time series modeling of short-term system scale irrigation demand

•A multivariate time series short-term irrigation demand forecast model is developed.•Real-time irrigation delivery system data are used to capture recent behaviour.•An atmospheric water supply index captures rainfall and evaporative demand effects.•The model is applied to five command areas in Northern Victoria, Australia.•Cross-validation NSE ranged over 0.98–0.78 for forecast lead times of up to 5days.