Warmer, drier but no El Nino

CLIMATE experts have shelved predictions of a drier and warmer El Nino period and say conditions are now likely to be much more neutral in the tropics.

Meteorologist Jim Richardson said the outlook had been downgraded from El Nino to “inactive” based on data from various models.

“There is still a chance it will be warmer and drier,” he said. “It’s just eased back from a full- on El Nino.”

In a report released by the Bureau of Meteorology this week it said Pacific Ocean temperatures in the far east have cooled considerably in May and June.

It said all eight international weather models all backed a downgrade from El Nino.

“While models have steadily eased back the likelihood of El Nino, most still indicate an increased chance of warmer and drier than average conditions for Australia over winter,” it said.

While Townsville remains dry, a high pressure system off southeast Australia and a low in the Tasman Sea were causing showers along the coast from Cardwell to Cooktown.