Australia Weather Update: It was recently shared that a powerful El Nino is currently brewing over the Pacific Ocean. Now, Australia’s weather agency has issued a warning over the El Nino onset.
Australia Weather Update: The Bureau of Meteorology’s Statement
According to the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia’s main weather agency), the current El Nino could quickly get more intense to become one of the strongest weather patterns in 7 years.
“Forecasts are pointing towards a strong to very strong El Nino event, based on the extent of warming in the central tropical Pacific. Around half of the models indicate this event could peak at levels among the highest observed since 1950”, the weather agency said.
How El Nino Could Affect Australia
El Nino could have a devastating impact on Australia. It could mean warmer temperatures, lesser rainfall and more wildfires. As a result, it could cripple the country’s booming agriculture industry. Tasmania and the East Coast of the country will likely be the most affected by this year’s El Nino.
Australia’s History with El Nino
Australia has experienced El Nino multiple times throughout history. The country’s most recent El Nino onset was from 2023 t0 2024 and it caused a dry spell of three months. While the ones in 2015 and 2016 led to droughts and decline in agricultural output. This year’s El Nino will be far more severe, according to most estimates.
What is El Nino?
El Niño is a weather pattern in which temperatures near the Central and Eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean start to heat up. As a result, there are changes in wind and rain patterns across the globe. El Niño generally appears every two to seven years on average. La Niña is considered to be the opposite phenomenon of El Niño.
Causes of El Nino
El Nino is caused by a combination of factors. However, the most major ones include weakening trade winds and warming oceanic temperatures.
Disclaimer: This article has been written with inputs from Reuters.
