Warm and dry conditions forecast as BOM declares El Nino weather event

Eric Snodgrass, Nutrien’s Principal Atmospheric Scientist, explains what this means for Australia.

“The Bureau of Meteorology has formally declared an El Nino event in the Pacific Ocean, to Australia’s east, but also a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), to the west,” said Eric.

“The Bureau’s declaration is a formal acknowledgement of what many of our communities across Australia are already experiencing and managing for – a hotter and drier spring.

“The El Nino, combined with the positive Indian Ocean Dipole are also likely to see severe rainfall deficiencies which means above average temperatures and dry conditions are expected to continue over the summer months.”

Eric said Australia is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of these major climate events.

“After three years of record rainfall and devastating floods, Australia is now on alert for heatwaves, drought and increased bushfire risk,” said Eric.

Watch Eric's most recent in-depth ag weather forecast below.

Read the latest from the BOM, here.

Photo: Eric Snodgrass with (L-R) Emma Hurlston, Kara Bryant, Susie Spratling and Sharon Dew.