Northern Aust Seasonal Rainfall Outlook: probabilities for October to December 2009, issued 22nd September 2009 | |||||
Drier season favoured in north QueenslandThe northern Australian outlook for rainfall over the December quarter (October to December) shows a moderate shift in the odds favouring a drier than normal season across much of north Queensland. The pattern of seasonal rainfall odds across Australia is a result of recent warm conditions in both the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Pacific influence (El Niño) dominates the outlook in northeastern Australia. ![]() The chances of exceeding the median rainfall for October to December are between 25 and 40% over most of northeast Queensland (see map). This means that for every ten years with ocean patterns like the current, about six or seven years are expected to be drier than average over this part of northern Australia, while about three or four years are wetter. Across the rest of the country, including southern Queensland and the NT, the chances of exceeding the median rainfall for October to December are between 40 and 60%, meaning that above average falls are about as equally likely as below average falls in these regions. New: An expanded set of seasonal rainfall outlook maps and tables, including the probabilities of seasonal rainfall exceeding given totals (e.g. 200 mm), is available on the "Water and the Land" (WATL) part of the Bureau's website. Outlook confidence is related to how consistently the Pacific and Indian Oceans affect Australian rainfall. During the October to December period, history shows this effect to be moderately consistent over much of northern Australia, the main exception being southeast Queensland where it is only weakly or very weakly consistent (see background information). An unusual El Niño event persists across the Pacific Basin, with most leading climate models forecasting the event to peak late in 2009. El Niño events are usually (but not always) associated with below normal rainfall in the second half of the year across large parts of southern and inland eastern Australia. The SOI is approximately +3 for the 30 days ending 19 September. For routine updates and comprehensive discussion on any developments please see the ENSO Wrap-Up. | |||||
Click on the map above for a larger version of the map. Use the reload/refresh button to ensure the latest forecast map is displayed. More detailed forecast maps, including the probabilities of seasonal rainfall exceeding given totals, can be found here. | |||||
More information on this outlook is available by contacting the Bureau's Climate Services sections in Queensland and the Northern Territory at the following numbers:
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THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE SEASONAL OUTLOOK IS EXPECTED BY 23nd October 2009 Corresponding temperature outlook | |||||
Background Information
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