The flood-inducing La Nina weather system is likely to continue until at least February, the Bureau of Meteorology says in its latest update.

The bureau has said that the current event, caused by Pacific Ocean temperature levels, could match the strength of 2010-12, which saw catastrophic flooding across much of Queensland and northern NSW.

La Nina typically increases the chance of above-average rainfall across much of Australia during spring, and across eastern Australia during summer.

“Most models suggest La Nina will peak in December, with around half the models anticipating a strong event,” the bureau says.

“While there is some possibility that the peak strength could reach levels similar to 2010–12, there are some differences.

“La Nina became established much earlier in 2010, was long-lived (over two years), and impacts were enhanced by a negative Indian Ocean Dipole and warm ocean temperatures around Australia.”

The Indian Ocean Dipole is currently neutral, and most models suggest it will remain neutral for the rest of this year.