Big Wet tipped for the North this season

Northern Queensland faces an increased risk of widespread flooding in coming months, according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Severe Weather Outlook 2021-22. The number of tropical cyclones this season is forecast to be near or slightly above average. The outlook, which also outlines the risk of severe thunderstorms, heatwaves and bushfires, is released in early October every year and looks ahead to the end of April, when the high risk weather season in Australia officially ends. Greg Browning , BOM . Bureau senior climatologist Greg Browning said while severe weather could occur at any time of the year, we are now entering Australia’s peak high risk weather season. “Many climate drivers are indicating that it could be an active season across parts of Australia,” Mr Browning said. “Warm waters to the north of the continent, and the sea surface temperature patterns across the tropical Pacific and Indian oceans, are driving our outlook towards more rainfall for eastern and northern Australia. “It is also likely that the first rains of the northern wet season will arrive earlier than normal for much of northern Australia. “On average, Australia gets around 11 tropical cyclones in a season, of which four generally cross our coastline. With warmer than average seas around northern Australia this year, the number of tropical cyclones is likely to be close, or slightly above average. "And with an already wet landscape and above average rainfall likely, there is an increased risk of widespread flooding for eastern and northern Australia." The good news is that the number of individual extreme heat days over summer is likely to be lower than seen in recent years. The potential for bushfires and severe storms remains near average. Below: The Eastern region outlook indicates a 66 per cent chance of more tropical cyclones than average. The average number of tropical cyclones for this region is four, and about a quarter of tropical cyclones in the Eastern region make landfall. The Northern region outlook suggests a 57 per cent chance of more tropical cyclones than average. Typically, the Northern region experiences two-three cyclones in the season and about three-quarters impact coastal regions. BOM describes outlook accuracy for these regions as low and very low respectively. Know your weather, know your risk Mr Browning said Australians could not afford to be complacent this severe weather season. "Severe weather can disrupt and endanger lives in many ways, that is why the Bureau is asking the community to ‘know your weather, know your risk’,” he said. “That means understanding the kinds of severe weather that can impact the area you live in and what you should do when it occurs." For the full Severe Weather Outlook 2021-22 visit Australian tropical cyclone season outlook (bom.gov.au). https://www.youtube.com/watch?vhwJDKF4bIF0&t1s

Big Wet tipped for the North this season

Industry Queensland

Related News

Anglo rejects ‘opportunistic’ takeover push

Worker dies after 20m fall at wind farm site

Callide coal operation hits the 80-year mark

Get access to breaking mining news, now.