Just days ahead of summer, La Ni\u00f1a has been officially declared by the Bureau of Meteorology, adding a twist to the weather outlook for Australia. While La Ni\u00f1a typically signals increased rainfall and storm activity, this year\u2019s event is expected to be much weaker and short-lived. Still, it\u2019s a reminder that the unpredictable Australian climate never stays the same for long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
La Ni\u00f1a is one phase of the El Ni\u00f1o\u2013Southern Oscillation, a natural climate phenomenon that affects global weather patterns. It happens when the Pacific Ocean\u2019s trade winds pick up, causing cooler-than-usual waters in the central and eastern Pacific. In Australia, this usually results in wetter conditions, particularly for the east coast, with an increased chance of cyclones, storms, and intense rainfall. It\u2019s the opposite of El Ni\u00f1o, which leads to dry conditions and an elevated risk of bushfires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, La Ni\u00f1a isn\u2019t always the same year to year. Sometimes it\u2019s a big event, like the one in 2020, and other times it\u2019s relatively mild, reminds 9News<\/a>. In 2025, the Bureau of Meteorology has noted that while the signs of La Ni\u00f1a are clear, the intensity is expected to be lower than previous years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n