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Weather outlook: Map reveals long-awaited shift for millions of Aussies

For millions of Australians on the east coast of the country, the big wet is finally set to come to an end.

The three years of unusually high rainfall brought by a rare hat-trick of La Niña weather systems is starting to give way to lower than average rainfall for parts of the south and the east of the country, according to the Bureau of Meteorology's latest Climate Outlook, released on Thursday.

Persistent rain saw significant flooding affect large areas on multiple occasions during 2022 with devastating deluges impacting south-eastern Queensland and eastern New South Wales.

But for March to May this year, there is a 60 to 70 per cent likelihood that those parts of the country will receive below median rainfall. After a year in which Sydney experienced its wettest year on record, the city, along with Canberra and Melbourne, can expect less rain than usual in the coming months.

A map showing expected rainfall for Australia.
A weakening La Niña means millions of Aussie will get a reprieve from the rain. Source: BoM

The forecast reflects the status and outlook for several climate drivers, including La Niña in decline and a positive SAM (Southern Annular Mode) returning to neutral, the Bureau said.

The shifting climate will also bring slightly warmer minimum temperatures for much of the country, meaning Aussies will enjoy warmer nights, while maximum temperatures from March to May are also likely to be warmer for the lower two-thirds of the country.

Severe cyclone strengthens off Australia coast

Meanwhile Cyclone Gabrielle, which has been brewing off Queensland for days, is expected to strengthen to category three as it barrels toward Norfolk Island, in line to pummel New Zealand's North Island.

The system is predicted to intensify to category three on Friday morning, picking up speed and strength with winds of between 165km/h and 224km/h, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

The system's trajectory has shifted and is in line to make landfall on Australia's Norfolk Island late on Saturday or early Sunday.

Norfolk residents are bracing for gusts of up to 140km/h, heavy rain and abnormally high tides and large waves.

"Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle is expected to intensify and move onto a track towards the southeast with increasing speed in the next day or two. This is very likely to bring the cyclone near or over Norfolk Island during Saturday and Sunday," a BOM alert says.

Speaking to ABC TV on Friday morning, Norfolk Island Emergency Management Controller George Plant urged those on the island to hunker down.

"Please take care and heed the advice... this is probably the worst one we've seen for a long time," he said.

The storm is expected to continue to track southeast out of the tropics at the weekend, and is predicted to reach New Zealand between Sunday and Tuesday.

with AAP

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