Bureau of Meteorology issues flood warning for east coast
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning for Australia’s east coast as a wetter than usual summer looms.
Victoria
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Christmas looks likely to be a washout for many Aussies this year with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a wetter than usual summer along the east coast.
Releasing its long-range forecast for summer on Thursday, the bureau said it was especially likely to be wetter along coastal NSW, most of Victoria, large parts of Queensland, as well as northern and eastern Tasmania.
The bureau warned any significant rainfall could lead to flooding where rivers were already high, dams were full and catchments were wet.
“Above-average rainfall also increases the risk of landslides and tree falls in areas of steep terrain and very wet soils,” the bureau said.
Nights are expected to be warmer than usual across the tropical north and in some southern areas, including Tasmania.
Days are also likely to be warmer than average across most of WA and the Northern Territory, north and central Queensland coastal areas, and parts of the south including Tasmania.
But cooler days are likely for most of NSW, parts of southern Queensland and Victoria.
Bushfires also remain a risk in southern Australia.
“Vegetation growth after above-average rainfall can lead to a risk of grass fires,” the bureau warned.
Meanwhile, ocean temperatures around northern Australia are well above average, increasing the risk of tropical cyclones and heavy rain.
Overall, the weather bureau warns there is an increased risk this summer of:
- Prolonged heatwaves with higher humidity in southern areas;
- Above average tropical cyclones and tropical lows;
- Coastal flooding in the east and north; and
- Marine heatwaves.
“A range of climate drivers around Australia are contributing to the wet outlook in the east, including a La Niña in the Pacific Ocean, a positive Southern Annular Mode and warmer ocean waters around Australia,” the bureau said.
“The negative Indian Ocean Dipole event is weakening and will likely come to an end by early summer, while the La Niña in the Pacific Ocean may start to ease in early 2023.”
Originally published as Bureau of Meteorology issues flood warning for east coast
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