High chance of tropical cyclone developing off the Pilbara
There are increasing signs that a tropical cyclone will develop offshore the WA coastline this week, possibly impacting the region over the weekend. A tropical low designated 08U is 270 km southwest of Christmas Island and is expected...
Tropical lows developing near Australia, elevating cyclone risk
The tropics will awaken across northern Australia this week, with huge rainfall totals, thunderstorms, tropical lows and tropical cyclone risk all on the cards. This active week across northern Australia is being driven by a strong monsoon trough...
Heatwave refuses to take public holiday
It’s a public holiday in three states and one territory this Monday, but the heatwave forgot to take the day off. The early autumn heatwave which has baked large parts of southern Australia for several days already is working...
Colossal rainfall over the Nullarbor
Over 4 months of rainfall has fallen in a single day in southeastern parts of WA, with the chance of over a years’ worth of rainfall falling by the end of the week. Eyre, along WA’s southern coast, experienced...
Tropics helping add to southern Aus heatwave
The tropics flaring to life as the monsoon approaches once again is helping to add some heat to this weekend’s heatwave over SA and Vic. The diagram below shows how air that originates in the tropics can be transported...
Australian tropics booming to life, increasing tropical cyclone risk
An active pulse of the Madden-Julian Oscillation will increase the risk of tropical cyclones and thunderstorms in the Australian region over the coming week. The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) refers to a pulse of increased tropical cloud, rainfall and thunderstorm...
Pacific Ocean cold pool emerges, hinting at La Niña
A pool of unusually cold water has appeared at the surface of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, hinting that the foundations of a La Niña event may be lurking beneath the surface. The Pacific Ocean has been in an...
Unusually stormy summer for Australia, lightning data shows
Large areas of Australia saw an above average number of lightning days this summer, with Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane all seeing 5 to 6 extra storm days during the season. Australia always sees lots of lightning during summer as...
