Australia Weather News

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned Australian residents to prepare for an above-average tropical cyclone season this summer.

The Bureau is forecasting that weak La Nina conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean will lead to warmer sea-surface temperatures around northern Australia.

Speaking in a statement released by the Bureau, Climate Prediction Services Manager Dr Andrew Watkins warned that this upcoming tropical cyclone season will be far more severe than last year’s unusually quiet season.

“This year we’re experiencing warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures around northern Australia, and this will help to fuel the tropical cyclone season ahead.”

“History shows that in an average season, about eleven cyclones form in the Australian region between November and April. On average, four of these will make landfall.”

“It is highly unlikely Australia will see a cyclone season as quiet this year,” Dr Watkins said.

Tropical cyclones are weather systems that form over warm tropical waters and feature gale force winds, or stronger, near their centre. The weather systems bring with them high winds, extreme swell and considerable amounts of rainfall.

This combination of weather conditions can result in dangerous situations and the Bureau is urging all residents of northern Australia to commence preparations for the upcoming storm season before it is too late. The tropical cyclone season runs from 1 November through to 30 April.

The news comes as countries in North and Central America begin to count the toll of Hurricane Matthew. The Category 5 hurricane tore through Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, The Bahamas and parts of southern America, causing over 1000 deaths.

Matthew is the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Stan in 2005, which killed over 1600 people. It is also the most costly hurricane since Stan in 2012, having caused over US$5 billion in damage. That figure is likely to rise as the cleanup continues over the coming days.

The hurricane has moved out to sea, however, it is still causing widespread destruction throughout the States. Rivers in the state of North Carolina are expected to continue rising for the coming days, with residents urged to take caution.