El Nino returns as Australia braces for drought and fire threat

The El Niño climate event is underway across the Pacific Ocean to Australia’s east.

This is Australia’s first El Niño event since 2023, when the nation saw its driest August to October on record.

During the event, the Pacific Ocean warms and the usual easterly wind weakens, meaning less tropical moisture reaches our shores.

Australia is particularly vulnerable to the impact of El Niño, as it plays a role in causing drought or an increased bushfire risk.