Queensland – El Dorado one day, El Nino the next

SPRING lived up to its glorious reputation yesterday, arriving with clear blue skies and a warming sun.

In some ways it was a continuation of the “luxury” the state enjoyed during winter.

Queensland had a warmer-than-usual winter while rainfall was well below average through central and western districts but above average in parts of the north, northwest and southern Queensland. But not everything is rosy. Weather bureau forecasters warn that the drought-bearing El Nino is the strongest recorded in 17 years.

Forecasters expect the tropical Pacific Ocean will continue to warm – a major El Nino indicator – while the Indian Ocean is at near record temperatures.

Yesterday, Brisbane enjoyed clear skies with a maximum of 25C and a morning low of 9C. Today should be similar with a minimum of 14C.

For the rest of the state, a few showers will develop in the interior and it will be partly cloudy but dry in the west.

The weather bureau found that June rainfall for the state was well above average in southern, northwest and northern Queensland.

Many places on the north tropical coast recorded their wettest June on record.