The Australian Bureau of Meteorology says climate indicators in the tropical Pacific Ocean remain close to El Niño thresholds. Although El Niño development stalled during the second half of July, over the past two weeks, indicators such as the Southern Oscillation Index and trade wind strength have shown renewed trends that are consistent with the early stages of an El Niño.
“During El Niño events, large parts of eastern Australia are typically drier-than-normal during (Southern Hemipshere) winter and spring, while southern Australian daytime temperatures tend to be warmer. However, El Niño does not guarantee widespread dry conditions,” says the bureau.
