‘Strong And Mature El Niño’ To Bring ‘Drier October Nation-Wide,’ Forecasted The Australian Bureau Of Meteorology
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology projected on Wednesday a stronger El Niño from October to December that will bring a drier weather throughout Australia as temperature of the seas surface increases significantly, reported The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday.
The El Niño phenomenon has brought the third-driest September in Australia, where rain has been scanty in South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria for a year.
For farmers in Australia, the October rain is critical for the harvest in November and with the rate El Niño is moving, farmers are expecting more than 50 percent decline in the quality and value of their crops, including wheat and canola.
In another article by The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday, other Australian citizens may be glad to know that the Bureau of Meteorology also forecasted fewer tropical cyclones within the country from November to April.
"An El Nino reduces the risk [of cyclones] but it doesn't reduce it to zero," said manager of the bureau's climate prediction services, Andrew Watkins. "What people still clearly need to do is to prepare."
"For coastal regions it's definitely a good sign," Watkins added. "But for inland areas, the breakdown of tropical cyclones into rain depressions often brings the best rainfall."
According to ABC News on Monday, climate liaison officer Glenn Cook noted that the Northern Territory is more likely to observe a longer build up to the rainy season this year due to the El Niño phenomenon. Most affected by this occurrence is the top end of the Northern Territory, which may experience the build up until January or beyond.
"Arguably there have been years when there has been no monsoon at all, although that is pretty rare," said Cook. "With less cloud we tend to have more sunshine and so higher temperatures as a result of the heating that occurs."
On top of extremely drier weather conditions and the slight possibility of tropical cyclones, Cook also warned of higher risks for bushfires in some parts of Australia.
