The El Nino in the Pacific Ocean is likely to affect Australia's climate for the rest of the year, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

El Nino, a warming of sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central equatorial Pacific, is associated with drier weather in Australia in winter and spring, especially in the east.

Australia is being thrown a drought curve-ball. Credit:Michael Rayner

In its fortnightly El Nino Southern Oscillation Index (ENSO) statement, the bureau says the El Nino is still developing.

"International climate models surveyed by the Bureau of Meteorology suggest further warming of the tropical Pacific is likely, with sea surface temperatures forecast to remain above El Nino thresholds for the remainder of the year," it said.