WILD WET SEASON AHEAD FOR TOP END
THE Top End has been warned to brace for severe weather as cyclone season approaches.
Sky News chief meteorologist Tom Saunders has compiled data showing the next seven months will be wetter and wilder than normal across most of Australia.
“As we transition to summer months, global climate indicators show frequent rain and thunderstorms, brought in by moisture flowing south from tropical waters,” Mr Saunders said.
Residents in the Northern Territory should expect increased tropical cyclones and significant flooding over the next six months.
Despite a recent declining trend in the number of cyclones across most of Australia, he said he expected an increase this year.
“Historically above average sea temperatures in the north, rainfall patterns across the Indian Ocean, commonly known as the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) combined with a possible cool phase have typically signalled increased cyclone activity,” he said.
Emergency services across the Territory have started preparing for storm season with several experts having warned that the looming wet season will bring an overly active storm season.
In addition, Mr Saunders’
data shows temperatures in the Northern Territory continue to rise, averaging 0.3C hotter than the 32.5C.
Mr Saunders said there was every possibility we could see tropical cyclones, such as those seen in 2018 track over Darwin.
Territorians should start to prepare for the season.
The data comes after an unpredictable week in the Top End that saw Territorians reaching for both umbrellas and sunglasses.
Mr Saunders’ report showed wild weather would be expected in all states, with Queensland also predicted to see a strong cyclone season.
“2021 has continued the recovery from the severe nationwide drought of 2017-19, with many key agricultural regions having benefited from prosperous growing seasons for the last 18 months,” Mr Saunders said.
“Water catchments have also seen a significant boost to storage levels.”
In good news for firefighters, the meteorologist has predicted the bushfire threat across the country during this summer will be well below that seen during 2020’s Black Summer.
AS WE TRANSITION TO SUMMER MONTHS, GLOBAL CLIMATE INDICATORS SHOW FREQUENT RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS.
TOM SAUNDERS