The latest El Nino climate effect continues to strengthen and within weeks could surpass peak values reached during 2002 and 2009, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

It remains well short of the record 1997 and 1982 events, but peak values are normally recorded late in the year.

Indications are that the current system will continue to strengthen and persist into early next year.

El Nino, caused by warming in the tropical Pacific, is usually associated with lower rainfall and higher temperatures across many parts of Australia, increasing bushfire risk.

A positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which features cooler than normal water in the tropical eastern Indian Ocean, can exacerbate its effects.

The IOD remains neutral, but three out of five international models indicate a switch to positive in late winter or spring.