Australia faces widespread storms in unusual El Nino pattern

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 00:32 · Archive

Australia is experiencing its wettest El Nino winter in 35 years, with widespread storms and heavy rain forecast across the country this week.

Australia is on track to record its wettest El Nino year yet, with widespread showers and thunderstorms forecast to soak large parts of the country over the coming week. More than half the country could see showers and storms in the next seven days, with parts of Queensland and Northern NSW forecast to receive more than 50mm of rain, according to ABC meteorologist Tom Saunders. Sydney has already been drenched by more than 100mm of rain this week, whilst Queensland has been hit by severe flash flooding and destructive winds have lashed Alice Springs.

Queensland is expected to be the main focus for storms on Saturday with tropical moisture increasing the risk of intense thunderstorms and flash flooding, particularly inland south of Longreach. Showers and storms are forecast to continue across Queensland and parts of NSW on Sunday, with the unsettled weather pattern expected to persist into next week.

Australia's winter was the wettest for an El Nino year in 35 years, whilst national winter-spring rainfall was on track to exceed the long-term average. The latest weekly El Nino 3.4 index reached 2.81°C above average for the week ending 11 October, surpassing the previous weekly record of 2.78 degrees in November 2015. A Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman said warmer sea surface temperatures around the Australian region could be supplying additional moisture into the atmosphere, contributing to the wet outlook.

How it is being reported

• Widespread storms and heavy rain to lash Australia in unusual El Nino patternAustralia has recorded its wettest El Nino winter in 35 years, with widespread storms and flash flooding forecast to drench millions of Aussies this week.Perth Now · 17 Oct, 00:23
• Widespread storms and heavy rain to lash Australia in unusual El Nino patternAustralia has recorded its wettest El Nino winter in 35 years, with widespread storms and flash flooding forecast to drench millions of Aussies this week.The West Australian · 17 Oct, 00:23

In this story: Australia · Queensland · Sydney · NSW · Alice Springs · Bureau of Meteorology

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