A shocking weather prediction map released by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) shows every part of Australia is facing well-above-average temperatures between December and February, in what could be our hottest summer yet.
The map shows all parts of Australia have an 80 per cent chance of exceeding minimum temperatures each day through the peak summer period. Considering minimum temperatures are usually recorded overnight, that means all of us are likely in for some sleepless nights.
The BOM says extreme heat is caused by high ocean temperatures in the waters surrounding Australia.
More heat means a much greater risk of bushfire, but the warm seas also mean more moisture in the air, which increases the likelihood of tropical cyclones and flooding.
“During the warmer months severe thunderstorms are more common, bringing heavy rainfall, damaging winds, large hail and the risk of flooding anywhere in Australia,” the BOM’s summer outlook says.
“Flash flooding and riverine flooding are more common during severe weather seasons, particularly across northern and eastern parts of the country.
“Fire authorities are advising an increased fire risk in the spring months for parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory, western Victoria and south-east South Australia.”
The frightening heat prediction map brought some shocked reactions when it was posted on Reddit.
“I’m going to start saving money now so I can pay the upcoming air conditioning bills,” said one user.
“Get ready for more of those 1-in-100-year flooding events,” said another.
Other users said the data showed that despite the La Nina conditions making the past three summers cooler than normal, extreme heat was becoming more frequent.
“Look at any weather station on the BOM that has historical data going back more than 60 years or so you will see that the frequency of monthly means that are above the median are heavily skewed the more recent decades.”
But many in the thread were not convinced the map – or the warming climate – were anything to worry about and were quick to point out the this is not the first time we’ve heard such warnings from the BOM.
“A similar warning went out last year too (with an added catastrophic fire warning),” one user wrote.
“I think the northern states copped it, but parts of Victoria had a few hot days but nothing like a year or two before. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”
“Have a look at the BOM archive,” said another.
“They predicted the same percentage last year and most of the years before. Clearly last summer (23/24) wasn’t as bad as their long-range forecast suggested. These predictions [are] best taken with several grains of salt and critical thinking.”
What do you think? Is the big red map something to worry about? Or is the BOM sounding the alarm unnecessarily? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: Despite what you might hear, weather prediction is getting better
From memory last year they were forecasting an El Nino and we ended up with very wet weather. I will take any forecasting with a grain of salt and look out the window each day to see what the weather will be like.