Australia facing ‘abnormal’ warm, dry winter
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Australia is facing an “abnormal” winter, with a predicted El Nino and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) triggering warmer and drier weather around the country.

It’s the first day of winter today, and the season will run until the first day of spring on September 1.

”While this winter will still have plenty of cold weather, rain, snow and frost, two broad-scale climate drivers could team up and make some types of weather more likely than others,” Weatherzone said in its seasonal outlook.

Weatherzone winter forecast map
Australia can expect an unusually warm winter. (Weatherzone)

“Both El Nino and a positive IOD promote warmer and drier than average weather in Australia during winter.”

Weatherzone noted that neither situation had developed yet – though both were heavily favoured – which meant that their effects would be more pronounced later in the season.

Australians can expect a winter of higher-than-average daytime temperatures.

But night-time might be chillier than usual, with lower-than-average temperatures forecast, particularly for the central and south-east inland regions, Weatherzone said.

Weatherzone winter forecast map
Rainfall will also be lower around the country. (Weatherzone)

“Warm days and cold, frosty nights are a typical during El Nino and a positive IOD winters,” Weatherzone said.

“This is because clearer skies allow more heating to occur during the day, while radiative cooling is more prevalent during the clear nights.”

Winter rainfall will also be lower than average.

Hailstones at Bar Beach in Newcastle following a thunderstorm.

Newcastle smashed by massive hailstones

While Australia’s northern tropical regions typically see dry winters and wet summers, the lack of rain in the south will be more noticeable.

Avid skiers might also be disappointed to learn that a below-average snow season is also predicted for Australia’s alpine regions.

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