The Bureau of Meteorology has released its official spring outlook – indicating a mix of climate conditions for Australia’s season ahead.
The Bureau’s Climate Prediction Manager, Dr Andrew Watkins, said that while spring days and nights are expected to be warmer than average for the north and southeast of the country, clear nights mean the risk of frost will continue—particularly in areas with drier soils.
“The rainfall outlook for September to November indicates below-average rainfall is likely for south western parts of Western Australia, however there is the possibility of above-average rainfall in areas near southeast Queensland and far east Gippsland,” Dr Watkins said.
“While Australia's main climate drivers—the El Niño-Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole— are both neutral, other climate drivers are likely to influence spring.
“Warm waters in the central Indian Ocean may result in higher pressures south of Australia, resulting in more easterly winds, keeping the west drier than average.
“We’ve just experienced a very warm and dry winter. In fact, daytime temperatures were at record-high levels across much of the country this winter.
“These warm and dry conditions have meant fire potential in parts of eastern Australia has been unusually high this winter. Bushfires have already occurred in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.
“In contrast, winter nights have been notably cooler than average in areas such as the Murray–Darling Basin,” he said.
Scott Williams, Senior Forecaster at the Bureau said a brief taste of spring over the weekend was replaced by blustery conditions across much of southeastern Australia earlier this week.
The Bureau’s rainfall and temperature climate outlooks show the likelihood, as a percentage, of experiencing wetter or drier and warmer or cooler than average weather for the upcoming three months.
They are used to inform a range of decision-makers across industries such as agriculture, water, emergency services and energy and resources.
To view the full outlook and watch our climate and water outlook video: www.bom.gov.au/climate/outlooks
