Sydney
Australia is set for a hot and wet summer, with the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecasting above-average temperatures and higher-than-usual rainfall across much of the country, according to BoM hydrologist Masoud Edraki on Friday.
Both maximum and minimum temperatures throughout the year have already been well above average, and this trend is expected to continue over the next three months. “People will need to be prepared for heat stress and the risk of fire,” he said.
The BoM’s long-range forecast for December to February predicts warmer-than-average days and nights across most regions. Unusually high minimum temperatures are also expected, with Darwin facing a 99% chance of experiencing record summer overnight temperatures, while Canberra and Sydney have a 75% and 73% chance, respectively.
In addition to the heat, the forecast suggests that summer rainfall on the east coast is likely to be 60-80% above average. However, the rest of the country is expected to see rainfall within the typical summer range.
The warning comes as northeastern Australia, particularly Queensland, is experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures set to exceed 35°C, prompting fire bans and health alerts.
