Asia-Pacific

Australia records 2nd wettest summer in 111 years

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-07 10:35

CANBERRA - Due to one of the strongest La Nina events, 2010-11 has seen Australia's second wettest summer on record, and above average rainfall is expected to continue, a weather meteorologist said on Monday.

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"Nationally we averaged 354.7mm - 70 percent above normal and second only behind the infamous summer of 1973-74 when 419.8mm was recorded," Weather Channel meteorologist Tom Saunders said in a statement released on Monday.

All states and territories recorded above average rainfalls, due to one of the strongest La Nina events on record, Saunders said.

Victoria has never seen a wetter summer since records began 111 years ago, and it was Western Australia's second wettest.

South Australia had its third wettest summer, New South Wales its 5th, Queensland its 6th and the Northern Territory it's 8th.

"Looking ahead into autumn, the La Nina is now past its peak and has been weakening since early January.

"However, until the Pacific Ocean returns to neutral in winter we can expect above average rain to continue over most of the country," he said.