The recent departure of La Nina has already been felt across much of Australia, as temperatures rise and rainfall decreases. According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), the next three months will likely see below-average rainfall while temperatures are expected to remain higher than usual.
This news has already caused alarm in some parts of Australia, as the potential for an El Nino event looms. Such an event could mean an increase in the intensity of bushfires, with an even hotter and drier climate.
La Nina is a climatic phenomenon that occurs in the tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean, and generally results in cooler than average temperatures and increased rainfall. In Australia, La Nina has been a welcome sight, as it is often associated with cooler weather and increased rainfall, helping to keep bushfire risks at bay.
However, with La Nina now gone, the BOM is warning that the next three months could be particularly dry, with below-average rainfall. This could mean that the bushfire risk could increase, as the hot and dry conditions could provide the perfect environment for the spread of fires.
Eastern Australia is bracing itself for a heatwave this weekend, with Western Sydney estimated to hit 40°C and Melbourne forecast at 37°C according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) climate outlook.
“Temperatures in NSW are expected to reach the mid-thirties today, making this one of the hottest days of the season in Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle,” Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharpe said.
