August 2, 2022
The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed that a negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) event is under way and will most likely continue over the coming months.
A negative IOD typically increases the chance of winter and spring rainfall over much of southern and eastern Australia, along with warmer days than usual in northern Australia.
The IOD is a natural climate cycle brought about by changes in the difference between sea surface temperatures of the tropical western and eastern Indian Ocean.
BOM head of long-range forecasting Dr Andrew Watkins said the Bureau’s three-month climate outlook was for above-average rainfall for much of Australia, particularly for the central and eastern states.
“With wet soils, high rivers and full dams, and the outlook for above-average rainfall, elevated flood risk remains for eastern Australia,” he said.
