MEDIA RELEASE - ISSUED 15th March 2001
Three-month Seasonal Climate Outlook Summary: Temperature probabilities for April to June 2001
Potentially cooler in the west
The National Climate Centre's seasonal temperature outlook shows an increased likelihood for a cooler than average season in Western Australia. Through most of that state the chances of above average seasonal maximum temperatures for the April to June period are about 35 to 40% (see first map below).
This means that in years with climate patterns like the current, about 3 or 4 out of every 10 are warmer than the long-term April-June median, whilst about 6 or 7 out of 10 are cooler. In addition, the outlook skill is moderately high in W.A. for this particular season.
In other areas, the outlook chances are close to the baseline level of 50%. Also, the skill of the outlooks is high in the north of both Queensland and the N.T. but low elsewhere.
The outlook for seasonal minimum temperatures points to cooler than average nights in parts of the Kimberley in W.A. and adjacent regions of western N.T. The second map below shows that averaged over the season, warmer than normal nights have a 35 to 40% chance of occurring in this area.
In other words, below average seasonal mean minimum temperatures are favoured with a probability of 60 to 65%. However, the outlooks have low skill in this part of the country for the April-June period.
For more information regarding this outlook please contact the following climate meteorologists in the National Climate Centre during normal office hours from 8:45am to 5:30pm (EST) Monday to Friday:
Grant Beard on (03) 9669 4527