The Bureau of Meteorology has declared that La Nina has developed in the Pacific Ocean, upgrading from a an alert status to an active event.
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This means that recent changes in ocean temperatures and weather patterns over the Pacific are now likely to remain until at least the end of the year and northern NSW and all of Queensland should see above-average rainfall with a potential for increased flooding.
The potential for more tropical cyclones crossing the coast also increases off the Pacific Ocean during La Nina events.
La Nina is the cool phase of the El Nino Southern Oscillation. It is associated with cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
La Nina events often form in autumn or winter, then decay in late summer. The greatest impact normally occurs during the spring and early summer period.
La Nina events normally last for around a year, however they can be shorter, or much longer.
Recent observations and model forecasts show the central tropical Pacific Ocean is now 0.8°C cooler than normal, and that has resulted in changes to Trade Winds and pressure patterns. Climate models suggest these patterns will continue until at least the end of the year.
La Nina typically results in above-average spring rainfall for Australia, particularly across eastern, central and northern regions. It can also mean cooler days, more tropical cyclones, and an earlier onset of the first rains of the wet season across the north.
The last La Nina event occurred from 2010-2012 and resulted in one of Australia's wettest two-year periods on record. Widespread flooding occurred in many parts of Australia associated with the record rainfalls.
It is likely this year will not see the same intensity as the 2010-11 La Nina event, but is still likely to be of moderate strength.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
