The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an El Nino alert as ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific continue to rise.

There is now at least a 70% chance of an El Nino occurring this year.

“All international climate models monitored… indicate El Nino thresholds will be reached or exceeded by June,” the bureau said.

El Nino conditions often bring dry weather and increased bushfire risk to parts of Australia.

However, April to June is likely to be wetter than average across much of the country, due to warm conditions in the Indian Ocean.