The current La Nina climate cycle could significantly affect Australia’s weather over the next six months.

October 12, 2020

EXPECTED WEATHER IMPACTS OF THE LA NINA CLIMATE CYCLE OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS:

VICTORIA

* Increased risk of widespread flooding

* Fewer extreme heat days but heatwaves may last longer and be more humid

* Long-running bushfires are less likely, but more grass could provide more fuel in summer

NEW SOUTH WALES

* More rain than usual with an increased risk of widespread flooding

* Heatwaves could be more humid and last for longer, especially in southern NSW

* Normal bushfire potential, but more grass could provide more fuel in summer

QUEENSLAND

* La Nina is likely to bring more rain than usual, with an increased risk of widespread flooding

* Likely to see more tropical lows and cyclones than normal

* Earlier start to the wet season across the north

* Average number of severe thunderstorms

NORTHERN TERRITORY

* La Nina is likely to bring more and earlier rain than is usually recorded

* Earlier onset of the monsoon, with the possibility of more tropical lows and cyclones

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

* Earlier onset of the monsoon and increased risk of a pre-Christmas tropical cyclone off northwest WA

* Increased risk of widespread flooding in the north

* A dry spring could increase fire potential in the south

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

* More grass growth in spring could raise the risk of grass fires in summer

* Heatwaves may last longer and be more humid but there may be fewer extreme heat days than usual

* La Nina is also likely to bring more rain than usual

TASMANIA

* Normal bushfire potential but more grass could provide more fuel in summer

* An increased risk of widespread flooding for eastern Tasmania

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

* More rain than usual with an increased risk of flooding

* The ACT has normal bushfire potential, but people in rural areas and on the urban edge of Canberra are advised to plan for the potential of fast-moving grassfires