Storm Season Explained: Meteorologist Tony Auden
News
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best - that’s the message from Channel Seven’s meteorologist Tony Auden for this year’s storm season.
The warning comes as a third La Nina weather system is forecast to bring heavy rain to eastern Australia during spring and summer.
As part of RACQ’s Storm Season Explained series Mr Auden explains the causes behind a La Nina weather pattern and why all Queenslanders need to be prepared.
“La Nina is one of the major climate drivers which impacts the east coast of Australia. It involves warm water in the western Pacific Ocean and cool water in the east which causes increased cloud and rainfall, as well as a higher chance of severe weather events,” Mr Auden said.
“This year, La Nina is expected to peak in November and taper off through the summer months.
“We’re already experiencing the same ominous feeling like the 2010, 2011 season with cooler and cloudier conditions and flooding at a typically dry time of year.
“We have so much water on the ground already, so there is a lot of risk of heavy rain flowing straight into our rivers, and any flooding that occurs will escalate very quickly.
“While the flooding we experienced in February was a once every couple of generation event we can’t rule out something like that happening again in south east Queensland.”
The Channel Seven meteorologist also warns northern Australia should expect an above average number of cyclones.
“A normal season is four tropical cyclones out to sea and one coastal crossing and this year the weather bureau is predicting a 75% chance of above average cyclone season. But it only takes one coastal crossing to do a lot of damage,” he said.
“Wherever you live in Queensland, it’s important to be prepared, and know your risk. The tropics missed out on the rain last time, but they might get the worst of it this time.
“Make sure you have an emergency plan and emergency kit, so that if the worst does happen, you’ll be ready to put it all into action.”
Channel Seven Meteorologist Tony Auden is one of several leading experts featured in RACQ’s Storm Season Explained series. This series provides a deep dive into a range of key issues to help inform and educate Queenslanders ahead of, and during, storm season.
As part of RACQ’s Storm Season Explained series Mr Auden explains the causes behind a La Nina weather pattern and why all Queenslanders need to be prepared.
“La Nina is one of the major climate drivers which impacts the east coast of Australia. It involves warm water in the western Pacific Ocean and cool water in the east which causes increased cloud and rainfall, as well as a higher chance of severe weather events,” Mr Auden said.
“This year, La Nina is expected to peak in November and taper off through the summer months.
“We’re already experiencing the same ominous feeling like the 2010, 2011 season with cooler and cloudier conditions and flooding at a typically dry time of year.
“We have so much water on the ground already, so there is a lot of risk of heavy rain flowing straight into our rivers, and any flooding that occurs will escalate very quickly.
“While the flooding we experienced in February was a once every couple of generation event we can’t rule out something like that happening again in south east Queensland.”
The Channel Seven meteorologist also warns northern Australia should expect an above average number of cyclones.
“A normal season is four tropical cyclones out to sea and one coastal crossing and this year the weather bureau is predicting a 75% chance of above average cyclone season. But it only takes one coastal crossing to do a lot of damage,” he said.
“Wherever you live in Queensland, it’s important to be prepared, and know your risk. The tropics missed out on the rain last time, but they might get the worst of it this time.
“Make sure you have an emergency plan and emergency kit, so that if the worst does happen, you’ll be ready to put it all into action.”
Channel Seven Meteorologist Tony Auden is one of several leading experts featured in RACQ’s Storm Season Explained series. This series provides a deep dive into a range of key issues to help inform and educate Queenslanders ahead of, and during, storm season.