The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) expects April to June rainfall to be below average across the southern two-thirds of Australia, according to its latest long-range forecast. Days are likely to be warmer than average with an increased chance of unusually higher temperatures for much of the southern half of Australia. Warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures are forecast particularly around the southern coasts. For the tropical Pacific, models suggest a possible shift to El Nino by late winter with a clearer picture expected in Autumn. 

Root soil moisture is above average and streamflows increased across much of Australia due to above average rainfall during February and March. Water storages have filled to capacity in the north and east while others in the south and east are less than half full.