A summer that began with the wettest month on record, came to an end with warm and dry temperatures.
The average daily maximum temperature in September was 2.8 degrees warmer than normal; the average high temperature was 29.6 degrees Celsius.
According to Ron Lakeman of the Southeast Fire Centre Weather Services, weather patterns during August were similar to what was experienced in September, with an upper ridge of high pressure for conditions.
The total monthly rainfall was only 32 per cent of average. That was the direct opposite of June which was 350 per cent above normal.
Lakeman reported that indications of an El Niño are still developing.
“The El Niño typically produces milder than normal temperatures,” Lakeman said. “It’s common to get that milder temperature regime after Christmas. But it has very little bearing on the beginning part of winter.”
An El Niño is associated with warmer than normal sea surface temperatures close to Central America and it commonly produces milder than normal temperatures during the winter months locally, he explained.
The El Niño also brings an early spring versus the last two years where the region had a late spring.