This winter will be warmer and rainier, according to the Bureau of Meteorology's (BoM's) long-range forecast for the season.
The BoM has predicted that from June to August, it is very likely that across most of Australia, days and nights will be warmer than average.
While winter is a time for cooler weather, the bureau's winter long-range forecast predicts that day and night temperatures are likely to be above average across Australia for that time of the year.
Warmer and risk of bushfire
The forecast shows that there is more than an 80 per cent chance that most of the country will experience above-average maximum and minimum temperatures.
BoM also warned that "there is an increased chance of unusually high maximum temperatures across Australia".
The chances are more than 70 per cent for most of south-western and south-eastern Australia, as well as parts of the tropical north.
The bureau also forecast an increased chance of unusually high minimum temperatures across Australia.
On Wednesday, the Australian and New Zealand Council for Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC) also warned about the "heightened risk" of bushfires for South Australia and Victoria for the winter.
"The unseasonable bushfire risk potential for these southern regions is driven in part by significant and persistent dry conditions," AFAC stated.
More rain
The BoM also forecasts a wetter winter for "much of mainland Australia", with above average rainfall likely.
However, it said there are no strong indications of either above- or below-average rainfall in the south-west and south-east regions of the country, along with parts of the tropical north.
"This means there is a roughly equal chance of above, below or near-average winter rainfall, with no strong indication for unusually wet or dry conditions."
This includes far south-east South Australia, central and western Victoria, and Tasmania, which have faced prolonged dry conditions.
