Bureau confirms tropical Pacific now at El Niño levels‏

Summary

 The Bureau of Meteorology's latest update on the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) today confirms El Niño thresholds have been reached in the tropical Pacific for the first time since March 2010.

12 May 2015 - National

Assistant Director for Climate Information Services, Mr Neil Plummer, said El Niño is often associated with below average rainfall across eastern Australia in the second half of the year, and warmer than average daytime temperatures over the southern half of the country.

"The onset of El Niño in Australia in 2015 is a little earlier than usual. Typically El Niño events commence between June and November," Mr Plummer said.

"Prolonged El Niño-like conditions have meant that some areas are more vulnerable to the impact of warmer temperatures and drier conditions.

"The failed northern wet season in 2012–13, compounded by poor wet seasons in 2013-14 and 2014-15,... read more...