Sharjah24 – Reuters: Australia's weather bureau said on Tuesday a La Nina weather phenomenon had developed in the Pacific Ocean for the second year in a row that could bring above average rainfall across the country's centre, north and east.
La Nina is typically associated with greater rainfall, more tropical cyclones and cooler-than-average temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
The weather event could boost Australia's wheat yields. In September, the country lifted its wheat forecast for this season by 17% to near record levels citing favourable weather.
A wetter than usual end to the year could also result in a less severe bushfire season.
"Back-to-back La Nina events are not unusual, with around half of all past events returning for a second year," Andrew Watkins, the Bureau of Meteorology's Head of Operational Climate Services, said in a statement.
La Nina events normally last about a year but climate models suggest this year's pattern will be short-lived, persisting until the late southern hemisphere summer or early autumn 2022, Watkins said.
"Every La Nina has different impacts, as it is not the only climate driver to affect Australia at any one time," he said.
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