Wetter than normal conditions are predicted for northern Queensland and parts of Western Australia in the next three months, according to the latest seasonal outlook released by the Bureau of Meterology.
The forecast suggests a drier season is ahead for a small region of eastern Australia and South Australia, with most other areas of the country expected to experience average rainfall conditions.
The Bureau says the latest outlook is the result of warmer than normal temperatures in the
Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The northern half of Queensland, as well as most of western and southwestern WA, are considered to have a 60-70 percent chance of receiving above median rainfall from February to April.
In contrast, the chances of receiving below normal rainfall are 65-70pc on the Queensland and NSW border region and in parts of southern SA.
The Bureau says the tropical Pacific Ocean is expected to stay at neutral levels with regards to El Niño-La Nina weather patterns during early 2013.
In terms of temperature, the national outlook averaged over February to April 2013 shows that cooler days and nights are likely over a large region in the southeast of Australia, with cooler days likely over parts of northern and central Australia; and warmer days and nights are likely over western and southern WA, with warmer nights likely over the northern tropics.
The forecast predicts a 60-70pc chance of warmer than normal days for western and south-western WA from February to April, and a 60pc chance of warmer than normal nights for the same region as well as northern parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland.
Pilbara cyclone watch
Meanwhile, a tropical cyclone warning remains current in Western Australia for Port Hedland to Onslow, including Karratha.
As of 5am Wednesday a tropical low just to the north of the Pilbara, and the Bureau predicted it could develop into a tropical cyclone as it begins to track in a southwest direction towards the Pilbara coast.
“If the system does reach cyclone intensity then gales with wind gusts to 100 kilometres per hour could development between Port Hedland and Mardie during the day, and possibly extending west to Onslow in the evening”.
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