From bushfires to cyclones, what's in store for the rest of autumn?

It's been a summer of heat, storms, floods, and cyclones. Here's what's in store this autumn.

Climate change affects everyday Australians.

This summer was one for the record books, marking Australia's second-warmest summer since national observations began in 1910.

With December ranking as the third warmest on record, January the second, and February the fifth, national temperatures soared 1.9C above average for the season.

Blacktown felt the heat this summer, and data shows the average nighttime temperature is now around 1.5C warmer than it was back in the early 1970s.

But the heat was just one part of the story.

Communities across the country endured a string of extreme weather events, from heatwaves and bushfires to devastating floods and cyclones.

Across NSW we saw it all – flooding, powerful storms, scorching heatwaves and even snow, each leaving its mark on homes, infrastructure, and daily life.

The extreme weather didn't ease up once February ended.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred unleashed strong winds and record rainfall that left over 300,000 homes without power and many without phone service.

Since then over 63,000 insurance claims have been made to cover the damage.

Meanwhile, down south, hot, windy conditions kept emergency crews on high alert.

Across Victoria, bushfires burned over 210,000 ha this fire season, while down in Tasmania, almost 100,000 ha of wilderness was lost.

In early March, dry lightning sparked 100 fires across South Australia, leaving nearly 4000 homes without power.

So what's on the agenda for the rest of autumn?

Well, cooler weather isn't on the horizon just yet, with the streak of warmer-than-average days expected to continue across the country.

The majority of NSW is around two to four times more likely to see maximum temperatures reach the hottest 20 per cent of the historical average.

Tropical cyclones, tropical lows, storms and active monsoon bursts are also still possible in the north over the coming months, which could result in further heavy rain.

In contrast, dry summer conditions across many other parts of the country have left plenty of fuel to burn.

With temperatures staying warm, autumn fire danger remains high across parts of Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

This means continuing summer safety measures like having an emergency plan in place, staying hydrated, slip, slop, slapping, and keeping an eye out for weather warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Taming extreme weather

Climate change is the key driver behind the hot temperatures and extreme weather events we've been facing.

And residents in NSW have been noticing.

These conditions are only expected to become more frequent and intense as emissions rise.

But we can all play a role in limiting future impacts and ensuring we're well-prepared.

This is as simple as swapping the car for public transport a few days a week or giving meat-free Mondays a go.

Tapping into the power of our abundant sunshine with solar panels or transitioning to an efficient induction cooktop to replace an old gas stove are great ways to lower emissions too.

When it comes to preparation though – that depends on the event you're facing.

In fire-prone areas for example, clearing dry leaves, trimming overgrown vegetation and burning off can all help reduce the risk of devastating fires.

For cyclones, being prepared means having a comprehensive plan in place, reinforcing windows, removing branches near your home or power lines, and tuning in to the latest weather updates.

Your state emergency service website also has lots of great resources and advice to help keep you safe.

By making simple changes now, we can build a more resilient Australia – one better equipped to face extreme weather.

Want more information on how your climate is changing? Check out the last article in this series.

Amelia Pearson is the Operations Manager at the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub.

This column is part of a collaboration between Monash University and News Corp to deliver hyperlocal weather and climate information.