Temperatures are very likely to be above average for most of the country, and El Niño continues to strengthen. August temperatures were above average across most of the country. Tasmania experienced its warmest August daytime temperatures on record.
Rainfall for August was above average for much of southern and central Australia. In contrast, it was below average for parts of the west, south-east, and eastern Queensland. For South Australia, it was the fourth-wettest August on record, while Tasmania had its seventh-driest August on record.
Root-zone soil moisture is currently above average across much of the interior, extending into South Australia. Areas of below-average soil moisture have expanded over the east following below average rainfall during August and early September in these areas.
Looking ahead, October to December rainfall is likely to be below average for the south-east and parts of far northern Queensland.
For most of the western half of Australia and into Queensland's interior, above average rainfall is likely.
For September to November, low streamflow is forecast across many sites around the country.
High streamflow is likely for scattered sites in the south-east, east and north, and near median streamflow is likely across parts of the south-east.
Daytime temperatures for October to December have an increased chance of being unusually warm across most of the country.
Night-time temperatures are also likely to be unusually warm across most of Australia.
Sea surface temperatures are forecast to be warmer than average across much of the globe during October to December, including notably warm waters near south-eastern Australia raising marine heatwave risk.
El Niño is expected to strengthen further in the coming months.
We update our long-range forecast regularly. Select your location to
