Map’s ominous warning for Australia
Australia could be heading for its third La Nina in a row - with one measure in particular showing how vulnerable we could be to yet more floods.
Environment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Environment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The dams are full, the streams are full, soil moisture is high in many areas and there’s an even chance Australia will get its third rainy summer in a row.
In other words: prepare for more floods.
That’s the message from the Bureau of Meteorology as Australia heads towards its traditional “danger season” – the peak time for thunderstorms, cyclones, bushfires, floods and heatwaves.
The Bureau says there is a 50 per cent chance another La Nina event - associated with wetter and cooler conditions on the east coast - could be declared by November.
That would make three in a row – grim news for fans of a long, hot summer – but back-to-back-to-back La Ninas have been recorded before, in 1954-57, 1973-76, and 1998-2001.
According to the Bureau’s outlook, most of Queensland, NSW and Victoria, and significant parts of SA, NT and Tasmania are likely to experience above-median rainfall this Spring. The only areas likely to experience below-average rainfall are western Tasmania and northern WA.
A massive issue of concern is the level of soil moisture, as already-wet soils lead to more run-off, and then flooding.
Much of eastern and northern Australia has above-average soil moisture – with more areas having more moisture than the same time in 2021.
While flooding remains the chief concern, high temperatures are likely to impact far north Queensland, the Top End and all of Tasmania.
Parts of the NT, WA and Tasmania are rated as above average fire risk for Spring.
More Coverage
Originally published as Map’s ominous warning for Australia
‘Complete failure’: Photos show reality of carbon offset market
Some of Australia’s biggest corporations are using your money to pay for forest regrowth schemes to offset greenhouse gases - but satellite photos show many of these projects are not working.
‘Marketing spin’: Energy giant drops offset product
A home energy product used by about 400,000 Australian households - that has now been dropped - will be the focus of a landmark “greenwashing” court case over claims it helps offset emissions.
Heartbreak after man trapped in mine shaft
Police have revealed a heartbreaking update in the search for a man who fell down an old mine shaft in NSW’s coal mining region.
Gold nugget earns Aussie woman thousands
An Australian woman who came into the possession of one of the world’s most rare gold nuggets has had an eye watering payday.
Huge banner blocks views in ritzy area
Prime waterside views in a affluent suburb have been blocked as a local council took drastic action for one reason.
Millions brace for sudden weather change
Millions of Aussies are bracing for chilly winds and forecasts of showers, hail and snow in what’s been called a “shock to the system” by meteorologists.