CSIRO has begun estimating long-range probabilities of receiving above or below median rainfall over much of the country, based on forecasts of whether El Nino or La Nina conditions will develop in the Pacific Ocean.

"We use sophisticated climate models run on a supercomputer to predict sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. These temperatures provide a measure of the strength of El Nino and La Nina," says Dr Ian Smith, from CSIRO Atmospheric Research.

"Our predictions build on over a decade's climatic research by CSIRO," says Dr Smith.

La Nina conditions prevailed up until late last year and were accompanied by significantly above-average rainfall over much of Australia. In fact, 2000 was classified as the second wettest on record. Since then, La Nina conditions have waned.

"Everyone is asking when the next El Nino event will occur," says Dr Smith.

Typically, El Nino means drier than normal conditions over much of eastern and northern Australia. The last El Nino was in 1997. CSIRO predicts neutral conditions (neither El Nino or La Nina) through to autumn of 2002.

CSIRO will update its predictions monthly.

"The predictions are sometimes skilful up to 9 months ahead in time but, at this time of year it is too early to make skilful predictions for winter 2002," says Dr Smith, "but we are closely checking for signs that an El Nino may develop next year".

The National Climate Centre, and the Queensland Centre for Climate Applications provide rainfall outlooks three months ahead.

"CSIRO is generating information beyond three-months ahead, which can be useful for agricultural, water resource, and agribusiness planners," says Dr Smith.

The Commonwealth Government's Climate Variability in Agriculture Research and Development Program helped fund this research.

El Nino events occur irregularly every 2 to 7 years. Unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean initiate them. Accompanying this temperature change, moist winds that blow across the Pacific towards Australia slacken. As a result, rainfall over much of Australia declines.

El Nino's counterpart, La Nina, is often responsible for above average rainfall, especially in the eastern States. La Nina is associated with a warming of the ocean north of New Guinea and a cooling of the surface of the eastern Pacific Ocean. This favours moist winds that often bring us rain.

These El Nino and La Nina predictions complement the specialised industry-based predictions recently announced by CSIRO.

The CSIRO long-lead predictions are available from www.dar.csiro.au/res/cm/coca.htm Related Links
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