And according to Bureau of Meteorology long-range forecaster Dr Andrew Watkins, the odds of having a hotter than usual summer this year are “very high”. The Indian Ocean Dipole, which causes warmer sea surface temperatures, has been attributed to the drier than usual spring and less than average rainfall over southern Australia. Loading But as we move into summer, El Nino in the Pacific Ocean is set to keep things warmer and drier. “In terms of rainfall, it’s been quite dry in the south, particularly in Victoria and Tasmania, and into Western Australia and South Australia,” Dr Watkins said.

“September was our driest September [across the country]. In terms of the seasonal outlook, things are looking very warm for much of the country. “Odds are above 80 per cent of having above normal temperatures during the day and night. Expect some hot days and some sticky nights.” There’s no relief in sight for Australian farmers who’ve been battling severe drought conditions this year. There needs to be above-average rainfall for several months for drought conditions to ease and that’s looking highly unlikely, according to Dr Watkins. Folks in northern Australia are set to swelter through a dry and long summer. The later starts to the wet season in Queensland are leading to drier and warmer temperatures, Dr Watkins said. El Nino is likely to cause a drier than average summer. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer