Red-hot Australia: Nation is set to swelter through scorching summer days and VERY sticky nights - w
Author: Daily Mail UK Date Posted:27 September 2018
- Australians have had a glimpse of what's to come after Wednesday's scorcher
- The remainder of 2018 is due to be significantly hotter than average, BoM says
- October to December days will be hotter, as will temperatures overnight
- Experts have predicted an El Niño weather pattern, bringing dry conditions
- It will be warmer than usual this spring with less rainfall, forecasters say
- The maximum temperature will soar to above average across the country
- The worst may be yet to come for farmers struggling in drought conditions
Australians have had a glimpse of what’s to come after Wednesday’s scorcher, with temperatures for the remainder of the year set to be significantly hotter than average.
According to the latest climate outlook from the Bureau of Meteorology, the above-average temperatures Australia has seen for much of 2018 are set to continue for the remainder of the year.
From October to December, people across the country can not only expect their days to be uncomfortably hot, but temperatures overnight are also expected to soar.
‘October to December days are very likely to be warmer than average for most of Australia,' the report states.
'Chances are greater than 80 per cent over most of the western half of the country, the tropical north, and an area along the NSW-Victorian border.
'Nights are also likely to be warmer than average across Australia.'
The sweltering heat won't come before the nation endures one last deep freeze.
This spring will see drier and warmer conditions than last year, in preparation for the extra-hot temperatures heading into summer.
Recent bursts of rain delivered a slight reprieve for farmers struggling in brutal drought conditions, but predictions indicate the worst may be yet to come.
The maximum temperature will soar to above average, which is usually low to mid 20s for most of the country, from September to November, especially in the north, Weatherzone senior meteorologist Jacob Cronje told Daily Mail Australia.
'The minimum temperature will be above average, except for parts of South Australia and most of Victoria which will likely have below-average minimum temperatures, along with some parts of New South Wales,' Mr Cronje said.
'This is usually consistent with a high pressure system which brings lighter winds and fine and settled conditions.'
For southern coastal locations such as Adelaide and Melbourne, it is likely to be much hotter if an El Niño event occurs, which Mr Cronje says is due for November.
Further north in Queensland, the weather phenomenon will likely cause more individual extremely hot days and several warm spells.
Nights will be warmer throughout the country, excluding northern Australia and the southeast of the nation.
Many will welcome warmer days following record-breaking freezing temperatures on the east coast, but the increase will wreak havoc on farmers and intensify drought conditions across parts of eastern Australia.
Mr Cronje said while warm days and nights were predicted for most of spring, he wouldn't rule out the possibility of another cold snap at some point.
The Bureau of Meteorology said clear skies were likely, and there was a risk of frost and cold nights continuing in the south for the duration of spring.
El Niño during spring typically means below-average rainfall in eastern and northern Australia while daytime temperatures are typically above average over the southern two-thirds of Australia.
The weather events often result in severe droughts, bringing higher temperatures, lower than average rainfall and increased risk of bushfires, lasting between six months and two years.
This could prove catastrophic for parched Australian farmers who have been crippled by a years-long nationwide dry spell which has been described the worst drought in 100 years.
Australia will likely experience reduced rainfall, warmer temperatures, increased frost risk, and increased fire danger in the south-east.
There will also be a strong chance of record low rainfall, with El Niños usually leading to record-breaking dry conditions.
Severe droughts of 1982, 1994, 2002 and 2006 were all associated with El Niño.
