Warm winter forecast for Australia as SA and Victoria face unseasonal fire risk

BoM prediction follows much wetter than average autumn for northern and eastern Australia, and much drier one for south

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Australia's winter will be warmer and wetter this year, with higher than average day and night temperatures, and above-average rainfall likely in central and interior parts of the country.

The Bureau of Meteorology's long-range forecast said parts of the tropical north, south-east and south-west could expect typical winter rainfall, including coastal areas of New South Wales affected by the May floods, and parts of South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania where there have been prolonged dry conditions.

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