Large parts of south-east Australia look set for drier and hotter conditions over the next three months as a potential El Ni\u00f1o weather phenomenon takes shape in the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n
Much of Queensland and New South Wales<\/a> are forecast to have lower than usual rainfall in May, June and July, with almost the entire country likely to experience hotter than average maximum temperatures.<\/p>\n The World Meteorological Organization said last week there was an increasing chance of an El Ni\u00f1o developing in the Pacific \u2013 a phenomenon that historically has increased the chances of hotter and drier conditions for Australia\u2019s east.<\/p>\n El Ni\u00f1o events also tend to push up global temperatures, with some climate experts saying an event later this year could help set global heat records in 2027<\/a>.<\/p>\n Areas in red are expected to see higher than average maximum temperatures from May to July. Illustration: Bureau of Meteorology<\/p>\n El Ni\u00f1o is characterised by warmer than usual ocean waters in the tropical Pacific and a weakening or reversal of easterly trade winds which can both keep cloud and rain away from Australia\u2019s east.<\/p>\n Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email<\/a><\/p>\n The Bureau of Meteorology has said there is still disagreement among weather models, but most show sea surface temperatures consistent with an El Ni\u00f1o could be in place by July.<\/p>\n Caitlin Minney, a climatologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, said a developing El Ni\u00f1o was likely one of the factors behind the dry forecast.<\/p>\n \u201cMay to July looks like rainfall will likely be below average for much of eastern Australia,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n