Australia set for wet summer – 3 months of rain predicted
Australia, get ready for a rainy summer! The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) announced on Tuesday the country is on La Nina watch, a weather pattern which could bring intense rain, storms and cyclones throughout the summer months.
The Bureau expects the "La Nina" pattern to also bring more summer thunderstorms and large hailstones.
“The chance of a La Niña forming in late 2017 has increased. Chances are now around 50 per cent – twice the normal likelihood,” BOM said.
Weatherzone Meteorologist Graeme Brittain said the south-east parts of the country would like see above average rainfall from November to January.
“It's just a La Nina watch at this stage,” he said, but a “La Nina” alert could be pending.
“The above average rainfall will be mainly south-eastern parts of the country.”
We're now at #LaNiña WATCH. To find out why, and what it means for Australia, see our latest #ENSO Wrap-Up at https://t.co/dG5M55nWtH. pic.twitter.com/thYpfbt8nD
— BOM Australia (@BOM_au) October 24, 2017
Mr Brittain said high rainfall was likely between November and January.
“Climate models increase chance of above average rainfall mainly for south-west of the state including Sydney,” he said.
“Victoria has a very similar outlook in the south-west again. There's a greater chance of average rainfall particularly through December.”
However, in the country's north, Mr Brittain said the chance of high rainfall was unlikely.
“In December there will be lower than average rainfall across most of Queensland,” he said.
Similarly, in Western Australia there is no current indication there will be above average rainfall.
Although the country is on La Nina watch, there is no guarantee that the wet weather event would occur.
“It is an indication that some of the typical precursors of an event are in place,” BOM said.
The Bureau will continue to closely monitor developments in the tropical Pacific over the next fortnight.