A comparison of past strong El Nino events with the strengthening El Nino event of 2026

Ocean Temperatures and the Developing El Niño Event

As ocean temperatures continue to warm through early 2026 across the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, climate forecasters are calling this the start of what may be one of the strongest El Niño events in recent decades.

Read more
July snow prospects fading for Australian Alps

The lean 2026 snow season looks set to continue for the rest of July, with forecast models playing down prospects of any heavy snow over at least the coming week.

Read more
Sub-zero minimums in seven states and territories

Every Australian state and territory except the Northern Territory experienced sub-zero minimums overnight, with a lowest recorded nationwide reading of -7°C at Thredbo Top Station.

Read more
‘Feels like’ temperature of -20°C at midday as Antarctic blast chills Tasmania

Bitterly cold winds are chilling Tasmania and the far southeastern mainland this Thursday, as a frigid airmass which originated near Antarctica crosses the region.

Read more

Latest News Articles

  • Image for: Huge pool of cold air surging towards SE Australia

    Huge pool of cold air surging towards SE Australia

    A large pool of cold air with origins in the polar region is surging across the Great Australian Bight and is set to chill Tasmania and the southeastern corner of mainland Australia in coming days.

    Read more
  • Image for: The Southern Annular Mode (SAM) has gone negative – what this means for Australia

    The Southern Annular Mode (SAM) has gone negative – what this means for Australia

    Plenty of Sydney sunshine and heavy rain and snow in Tasmania will be some of the impacts caused this week by a negative Southern Annular Mode (SAM) that has just developed in the Southern Hemisphere.

    Read more
  • Image for: Low-level snow coming to Tasmania this week

    Low-level snow coming to Tasmania this week

    Snow could fall in higher parts of Hobart later this week as a polar air mass causes temperatures to plummet across Tasmania.

    Read more
  • Image for: Cold mornings and persistent fog chills southeastern Australia

    Cold mornings and persistent fog chills southeastern Australia

    A strong high pressure system has delivered some of the coldest weather in years across parts of Australia, with many residents reaching for an extra blanket overnight as freezing mornings gripped the southeast, as well as unusually chilly conditions extended far north into Western Australia and the Northern Territory under a very dry atmosphere.

    Read more
  • Image for: Persistent rain and large waves to hit southeast Queensland and northeast NSW

    Persistent rain and large waves to hit southeast Queensland and northeast NSW

    A developing low pressure system off southeast Queensland is slowly edging towards the coast today and is expected to bring a period of severe coastal weather to southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales.

    Read more
  • Image for: Heaviest rain in years soaks parts of WA, more to come

    Heaviest rain in years soaks parts of WA, more to come

    Some of the heaviest rain in years has soaked parts of Western Australia over the last 24 hours, with more rain on the way on Friday and over the weekend.

    Read more
  • Image for: Snow depth hits 70 cm up high, lower elevations still grassy

    Snow depth hits 70 cm up high, lower elevations still grassy

    The 2026 Australian snow season has hit its highest snow depth yet after last weekend’s snowfalls, with hydro-electric operator Snowy Hydro measuring a snowpack 70.

    Read more