The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has declared it is likely to be wetter than usual along the Australian east coast this summer while large parts of Western Australia are heading for a dry season.
Releasing its long-range forecast between December 2022 and February 2023, the Bureau said the wetter than usual weather would be particularly felt in coastal New South Wales, most of Victoria, large areas of Queensland, and northern and eastern Tasmania.
“In eastern Australia, any significant rainfall has the potential to lead to widespread flooding where rivers are already high, dams are full, and catchments are wet,” BoM said.
“Above-average rainfall also increases the risk of landslides and tree falls in areas of steep terrain and very wet soils,” it said.
“This summer there is a high chance that nights will be warmer than usual across the tropical north and in some southern areas including Tasmania.”
BoM said summer days were likely to be warmer than average across most of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, north and central Queensland coastal areas and parts of the south, including Tasmania.
However, it said cooler days were likely for most of New South Wales, part of southern Queensland and Victoria.
“Ocean temperatures around northern Australia are well above average, increasing the risk of tropical cyclones and heavy rain events from systems drawing moisture from the Coral Sea,” the Bureau said.
It said this summer was expected to bring an increased risk of prolonged heatwaves in southern areas; an above average number of tropical cyclones and tropical lows; coastal flooding in the east and north with unusually high tides forecast around 23 January and 20 February; and thunderstorm asthma events in the south in early summer.
BoM’s Summer forecast can be accessed at this PS News link.
