The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has released its latest climate outlook, suggesting that most of mainland Australia is going to be warmer and drier than average in the coming three months.

The outlook, which covers August to October 2018, says it’s likely that we’ll be experiencing warmer-than-average days and nights, with August in particular very likely to be warmer than average.

The outlook also suggests that much of eastern and southern mainland Australia is less likely to see relief from current dry conditions, with northern Victoria and southern New South Wales having a greater than 80 per cent chance of a drier season.

While the outlook notes that there is no strong indication either way for Tasmania’s rainfall during the upcoming season, it does suggest a warmer few months are likely to lie ahead.

To take a look at the full seasonal outlook, including rainfall forecasts and a discussion of the influences on the climate for the coming months, visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.

Don’t forget that Australian growers can access experimental forecast products for key growing regions, which are available online for registered users. The forecasts cover multi-week (2-4 weeks ahead) and seasonal timescales, and have been funded by Hort Innovation as part of a strategic levy investment.

This post appeared in the AUSVEG Weekly Update published 31 July 2018. Subscribe to the Update using our online form to receive the latest industry news in your inbox every week!