El Nino?: Australia could have its warmest and driest winter in years

This winter could be the warmest in years, with an Indian summer stretching on as far as July, forecasters have said.

With an El Nino brewing over the Pacific Ocean, the east and south of Australia could be in for a particularly dry and hot winter, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

With the west of Australia also set for a balmy few months, there is a slim chance that this could be a record-breaking winter.

An El Nino could form in the east of the Pacific and forecasters say this is likely to lead to drier and warmer conditions in eastern Australia.

Senior meteorologist Paul Gregory told Daily Mail Australia this means temperatures are likely to be a few degrees higher than usual, potentially topping 17C in Sydney.

‘What happens in the eastern seaboard largely affects the east and central Australia, but it’s possible we’ll have dry conditions in western Australia too.’

While most of us will enjoy the warmer weather, El Ninos can cause issues for farmers.

‘It can be harder for the farmers,’ Mr Gregory said. ‘It can bring an abrupt end to winter and you can get a very warm spring, which is what happened in 2015 and it can affect crops.’

Despite the warmer weather, there will still be the occasional cold snap too.

Canberra and southern New South Wales are predicted to record subzero temperatures in May, June and July, although this is not unusual.

The BOM added that it was too early to know if there would be enough snow for a decent ski season, but said there would definitely be some cold nights across south east Australia.

The forecast comes back on a particularly cold spell for south east Australia caused by an Antarctic blast.

Source: Weather: Australia could have its warmest winter in years | Daily Mail Online