Australia may face a summer of heatwaves, even without El Niño

Australia is not likely to see a repeat of the black summer bushfires this year, but should be prepared for higher than average temperatures, the Bureau of Meteorology says. Photograph: David Crosling/AAP

Australians should prepare for a summer of heatwaves even if an El Niño does not take hold this year, a senior climate scientist at the Bureau of Meteorology has said.

Dr Karl Braganza, the bureau’s national manager for climate services, said this year “could be significant in terms of heatwaves and fires”, but was unlikely to repeat the horrors of the 2019-20 black summer bushfires.