The Bushfire and Natural Hazards Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) is preparing to update its outlook for southern Australia as conditions continue to deteriorate.

The outlook released two months ago predicts a worse-than-average season in many areas due to the combined effects of El Nino and a long-term rainfall deficit.

Since then conditions in the Indian Ocean have exacerbated the situation, and last month and this month have been unseasonably warm.

“The Bureau of Meteorology has updated its climate outlook to December, as a result of a significant shift towards dry conditions across the country,” CRC CEO Richard Thornton told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“Large areas of southern Australia, especially along the east and west coasts extending inland, face above-normal fire potential for the 2015/16 fire season.

“A majority of eastern Australia, the west coast and Tasmania have significant rainfall deficits from below-average rainfalls over the past decade. Such underlying dry conditions mean soil moisture quickly declines with the warm temperatures many areas have been experiencing.”

Updating the outlook is a highly unusual move, taking weeks of work.

The Insurance Council of Australia says insurers are keeping an eye on developments.

“Insurers closely monitor forecast climatic conditions and individual companies will take whatever steps they believe are prudent in preparing to deal with potential claims for bushfire losses,” GM Communications and Media Campbell Fuller told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

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