Australian Summer 2022 Prediction: Australians warned that a “triple dip” La Niña event will continue until the end of the year

Australians are most likely in for a wetter end of the year than usual as a third consecutive La Niña event is forecast.

Australia has already experienced back-to-back La Niña years in 2020 and 2021, which have showered much of the country with torrential downpours and flooding.

But the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned people in the southern hemisphere to prepare for another La Niña summer.

Watch the latest news on Channel 7 or stream for free on 7plus >>

“The intractable La Niña event is expected to continue through at least the end of the year and will impact weather and climate,” it said on Wednesday.

“It’s the first triple-dip La Niña of this century.”

The WMO forecasts that the weather event will continue for the next six months, with a 70 percent probability in September-November 2022, but gradually decreasing to 55 percent in December-February 2022/2023.

In July, meteorologists put the probability of La Niña returning at 50/50, but a definitive statement cannot be made until October or November at the earliest.

If confirmed, 2022 would be the fourth instance of three consecutive La Niña events since records began in 1900.

La Niña weather events have previously resulted in widespread flooding and heavy rains across the country.

Of the 18 La Niña events since 1900, including multi-year events, 12 have resulted in flooding in some parts of Australia.

Bureau of Meteorology hydrologist Dr. David Wilson said the eastern half of Australia should expect an above-average wet spring.

“We recently moved to a La Niña alert because the probability of a La Niña event this spring has increased to about 70 percent,” he said

“This usually results in more rain in eastern Australia and an earlier onset of the northern wet season.”

Wilson added that there is a “high probability” of above-average rainfall in the eastern half of Australia this spring, but some parts of Western Australia are also likely to be drier than usual.

With many catchments and creeks in the east of the country already full due to sustained rain and flash flooding throughout the year, the risk of further flooding this spring is high, Wilson said.

“In eastern Australia, where catchment areas are wet and flows are already high, the wet prospect means the risk of flooding remains,” he said.