A WETTER than normal summer is in store for northeast NSW, but it is looking like an average season in southeastern Australia , according to the latest Bureau of Meteorology seasonal outlook.

Southern regions of the nation are likely to be hit by warmer than normal daytime temperatures.

“The outlook for total rainfall during summer (December to February) shows a moderate shift in the odds favouring wetter than normal conditions over northeastern NSW,” the bureau said.

“Over the far northeast of NSW, the chances of summer totals exceeding the 3-month median rainfall are around 60 per cent.

“Over the remainder of southeastern Australia the chance of exceeding the seasonal median rainfall is between 40 per cent and 60 per cent. This means the chances of being wetter than normal in these areas are about the same as the chances of being drier.”

The bureau said the pattern of seasonal rainfall across southeastern Australian was mainly the result of recent warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the central and southeastern Indian Ocean, especially off the coast of northwest Western Australia.

“Conditions in the Pacific Ocean have been neutral and so are currently not having a significant effect on the seasonal rainfall odds,” the bureau said.

“The tropical Pacific Ocean remains ENSOneutral. Sea surface temperatures across most of the equatorial Pacific are near normal.

“The SOI remains positive at approximately +14 for the 30 days ending 23 November. Computer models indicate that neutral conditions are likely to continue through summer. “

The bureau said the outlook for average daytime temperatures over summer shows a shift toward warmer than normal conditions over southern regions of southeast Australia.

“The chances of increased daytime temperatures over summer (December to February) are around 60-70 per cent for Tasmania, Victoria, southern NSW and the agricultural areas of South Australia,” the bureau said.

“Across the rest of the southeastern region, the odds are between 50 and 60 per cent, which means roughly equal chances of warmer or cooler than normal conditions.”

More information at Bureau of Meteorology.