The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed that a negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) event is underway and will most likely continue over the coming months.
A negative IOD typically increases the chance of winter and spring rainfall over much of southern and eastern Australia, along with warmer days than usual in northern Australia.
The IOD describes a natural climate cycle brought about by sustained changes in the difference between sea surface temperatures of the tropical western and eastern Indian Ocean.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s head of long-range forecasting Dr Andrew Watkins, said…