An unseasonal spring is set to grip the Sunshine Coast during the next few months, bringing an increased risk of heatwaves and bushfires.
Hotter and drier conditions than normal are expected, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, which released its long-term outlook on Thursday.
“That’s due to several factors,” senior climatologist Hugh McDowell said.
“It’s likely due to a potential emerging El Nino (warmer waters in the Pacific Ocean) and the potential for a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (warmer waters in the Indian Ocean), which looks like it’s emerging now, and climate change as well.”
The historical median maximum temperature for spring at Maroochydore is about 25.7 degrees.
But Mr McDowell said it was likely the region would be hit with hotter conditions.
“There is two-and-a-half to three times the likelihood of seeing unusually warm maximum temperatures, and that increases to three-and-a-half times when we go into October to December,” he said.
The historical median rainfall for spring is about 231mm but that figure could dive this time around.
Mr McDowell said the region was twice as likely to experience unusually dry conditions from September to December.
The likely higher temperatures and lower rainfall figures could bring unseasonal threats.
“It means that heatwaves will become more likely as we move into late spring and into summer, and the risk of bushfires also increases,” Mr McDowell said.
“We see both those hazards becoming more likely.”
The forecast for spring comes off the back of some relatively warm and dry seasons already this year.
“We’re seeing serious to severe rainfall deficiencies in South-East Queensland as a whole,” Mr McDowell said.
“It’s been dry for some time now so there’s a bit of concern around that.”
About 164mm fell at Maroochydore during winter, which is well below the median of about 244mm.
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