The driest winter in more than a decade means an increased risk of bushfires across eastern Australia.
That's the forecast following a warmer-than-usual winter which is likely to roll on into spring for most parts of the country, the Bureau of Meteorology said in its latest spring climate outlook.
Not since 2002 has Australia experienced such a dry winter with high fire loads fuelling the bushfire potential, senior forecaster Dr Andrew Watkins said on Thursday.
"In terms of what's happened over winter the fire potential certainly has been higher for eastern Australia," Dr Watkins said.
Parts of southern Queensland and northern NSW were looking at "near record values" for winter in terms of fire potential.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The warmer winter in Victoria had also led to dry conditions in the state, particularly across the Gippsland region.
Daytime temperatures hit record highs across much of Australia during winter, with the mercury soaring to 39.6 degrees at Mandora in WA's Pilbara on August 24 - the fourth warmest winter temperature ever recorded in the nation.
Above average temperatures were expected to continue into spring across the country, with warm days and nights predicted.
However there is above average rainfall on the way for southwestern parts of Queensland which has struggled through drought conditions, Dr Watkins said.
Warm sea surface temperatures to the north and east of Australia are likely to continue, increasing the chances of a warmer than usual spring across the north, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Tasmania.
