The latest long-range forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is for below median rainfall across areas of the north, west and south of Australia with above median temperatures for most of the country from January to March. Low streamflows are likely across most sites from December to February.

      The BoM’s forecast shows El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole continue to influence the Australian climate. The IOD is expected to end in January. Record warm global ocean temperatures are also likely contributing to unusually warm conditions.

In November, rainfall was above average for most states except for Tasmania. In parts of eastern, northwestern Victoria and central and southeastern NSW, rainfall was in the highest