Victorians face a year of extreme weather, bureau predicts

VICTORIA, prepare for a year of extreme weather. The Bureau of Meteorology is on “El Nino alert”.

For the Bush. SUNDAY TELEGRAPH. Generic photos along the Drought Highway. Sheep fight for grain put out by hand near Gilgandra NSW. Pic Nathan Edwards

VICTORIA, prepare for a year of extreme weather.

The Bureau of Meteorology is on “El Nino alert”, meaning more bushfires could devastate the state next summer.

But, first, Victorians should have their umbrellas ready for a wet winter.

The bureau is reporting that “above average rainfall” is expected for the next three months due to rising temperatures in the Indian Ocean.

The arrival of a cold front earlier this week was the first signs of a cold and wet winter ahead.

“We expect quite cold conditions and windy conditions with showers right through to Thursday next week,” bureau forecaster Phil King said.

“We’re likely to see further snowfall over the weekend.”

He added: “Warm water on the Indian Ocean is currently quite a dominant pattern at the moment and it’s bringing us an increased rainfall.”

Meanwhile, sea-surface temperatures are rising in the central and eastern Pacific — a sign the world is heading into a major drought-bringing El Nino event.

“We’re at El Nino alert level,” Mr King said.

“El Ninos generally bring reduced rainfall, particularly across eastern Australia.

“For southern areas it usually means hotter and drier summers.”

The bureau’s data showed last month that there was a 70 per cent chance of a El Nino event in the second half of this year.

Forecasters will confirm the likelihood of an El Nino event next Tuesday.