La Niña is here for the summer – but it may not bring what Australians expect

Stormy clouds over Rainbow Valley, Northern Territory, during a previous La Niña. The BoM’s long-range weather outlook suggests that the wetter and cooler conditions associated with La Niña might not happen this time. Photograph: Genevieve Vallee/Alamy

Despite a heatwave warning this week for large parts of the country, Australia is under the influence of a La Niña – a climate phenomenon which in the past has meant wetter and cooler weather.

The Bureau of Meteorology declared in November the system was in place but there are signs this year’s La Niña may not bring what many Australians might expect.