The October to December climate outlook, issued September 13 by the Bureau of Meteorology, indicates large parts of Australia are likely to be drier than average.
October shows a strong likelihood of drier conditions across most of the country.
However, the outlook for the eastern seaboard is different, with no strong indication of either a wetter or drier month.
October to December days and nights are likely to be warmer than average for all of Australia.
A drier and warmer-than-average end to the year would mean a low chance of recovery for drought-affected areas of eastern Australia.
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) are currently neutral. However, current observations and model outlooks indicate El Niño and a positive IOD could develop in spring.
