A dry and warm autumn is being forecast for most parts of Australia following a run of scorching summer temperatures.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects temperatures to be warmer than average from March to May across much of the country apart from eastern NSW, southeast Queensland and the far north west.
Central Australia, western Queensland, northwest Victoria, as well as scattered parts of eastern South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory are also forecast to be drier than average.
BOM climatologist Dr Linden Ashcroft said the weak La Nina weather pattern over the Pacific Ocean was expected to end by early autumn, with trade winds petering out in the past two weeks.
"This breakdown of what was already a weak La Nina is reflected in the rainfall outlook with drier than average conditions predicted for parts of northern inland Australia," she said on Thursday.
"Tasmania on the other hand may have a wetter than average autumn."
The bureau's latest outlook comes as heatwave conditions continue to affect much of Australia's eastern areas.
The outback Queensland town of Windorah saw the mercury hit 45.5C twice this week - the hottest February temperature since recordings began in 1887.
Humid and hot temperatures were expected to continue across the state until the weekend.
Meanwhile, hot and windy conditions in large parts of NSW led to total fire bans in five regions including Illawarra/Shoalhaven, the Southern Ranges, the Central Ranges, North Western and the Northern Slopes.
Last month, Victoria recorded its warmest January on record in 12 years, with temperatures in the state's northwest baking in four days of 45C heat.
