/ 22 July 2021

Time for a negative dipole effect…

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Speaking of weird weather… Much of Oz is in for a wetter than average spring as a climate phenomenon dubbed the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) enters a negative phase for the first time in 5 years. The Dipole what now? It’s when unusually warm conditions in South East Asia combine with unusually cold conditions in the Indian Ocean over the equatorial line, delivering a big dump of the wet stuff on Western Oz and our southern states. The last time it happened was in 2016 when we recorded our 2nd wettest winter and wettest ever spring. While the weather phenomenon isn’t expected to be as severe this time around, farmers and ski bunnies will likely enjoy some extra rain and snow. And we should take it while it’s on offer… Researchers say positive IOD phases – which reduce rainfall and last hit Oz in 2019, exacerbating the drought – may become more common in the future.

Image source: Unsplash

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