Australia weather forecast: El Nino raises bushfire risk for millions of people
Meteorologists are warning that a strengthening El Nino climate pattern is significantly increasing the risk of bushfires across eastern Australia. Following an exceptionally dry winter, authorities are bracing for dangerous conditions as temperatures rise and rainfall remains well below average.
Why it matters
Climate-driven weather patterns pose a direct threat to public safety and infrastructure, necessitating heightened emergency preparedness.
- 1.55am . First published September 17, 2026 - 9.06pm
shares Share article Weather forecasters are warning eastern Australia is entering a “potentially dangerous” period as the El Nino climate pattern grows in strength.
Two weeks into spring and on the back of an exceptionally dry winter, ground conditions are becoming a growing bushfire risk, reports Weatherzone .
Temperatures are forecast to nudge 30 degrees across a large part of eastern Australia on Sunday, September 20. Windy.com
Capital cities and regional towns recorded below-average rainfall during the three winter months, driven by a strengthening El Nino.
Meteorologists say the climate patten weakens the trade winds that blow moisture-laden air towards eastern Australia from the tropical Pacific Ocean.
To date, less than a millimetre of rain has fallen on Brisbane, while Sydney has recorded just 6.2mm.
It’s a similar story away from the capital cities.
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