A persisting weak La Niña weather may have already peaked in recent weeks, as the event is forecasted to last through the southern summer.
In its latest report, BoM said ENSO indicators, such as sea surface temperatures, and atmospheric indicators, including trade winds and cloudiness, continue to reflect clear La Niña characteristics. Meanwhile, five out of the eight climate models suggest that the event is likely to end in the early southern autumn of 2018.
With indicators hovering near thresholds since December, the weather bureau said 2017-18 remains likely to be classed as an official La Niña year. To be classed as a La Niña year, thresholds must be exceeded for at least three months.
La Niña typically brings above-average summer rains to eastern Australia, particularly in northern NSW and Queensland. But because it's a weak event, La Niña's influence is likely diminished. La Niña events also often increase the likelihood of prolonged warm spells for southern Australia, BoM said.
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BoM: Weak La Niña persists
Weak La Niña continues
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