August 29, 2019
The Bureau of Meteorology released its Spring outlook on Thursday, and it’s not good new for farmers.
BOM has predicted a drier-than-average end to the year for much of Australia with Spring days likely to be warmer than average.
The warm and dry outlook for Spring follows warmer-than-average winter days and one of the driest winters on record for large parts of the country.
Bureau head of long-range forecasting Dr Andrew Watkins said the coming three months were unlikely to deliver significant widespread rainfall.
“Unfortunately, the outlook is not indicating an easing of conditions in drought areas,” Dr Watkins said.
“But a drier-than-average outlook is not an outlook for no rain at all.
“Significant rainfall events are always possible, so it’s important to keep a close eye on the seven-day forecast.
“Winter was wet in parts of southern Victoria and western Tasmania, as well as central Queensland, but for most areas experiencing long-term rainfall deficiencies there was little relief.”
A positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) remains the main driver of Australia’s climate over the coming months.
A positive IOD is typically associated with below-average rainfall and warmer-than-average days for large parts of southern and central Australia.
The El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the other main driver, is neutral, meaning it’s having little influence over Australia’s climate at the moment.
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Queensland
Daytime temperatures are likely to be above average across the State during Spring.
Overnight temperatures are likely to be above average.
Drier-than-average conditions are likely for most of the State.
The preliminary summary for Winter shows daytime and overnight temperatures were above average.
Rainfall was below average and it was especially dry in southern Queensland.
Brisbane had a particularly warm winter. Daytime temperatures are likely to be warmest on record, while overnight temperatures will likely be among the three warmest on record.
Rainfall was below average.