Australians are in for a soggier than usual winter with cooler than average daytime temperatures but warmer nights.
It will be a step change from the current rainfall which nationwide is 20 per cent below average, driven by particularly dry conditions in Western Australia.
Warmer Indian Ocean seas near Australia could lead to a wetter winter.
Dr Watkins said the outlook was being largely driven by warmer than average ocean temperatures in the waters to the north of Australia, as well as warm ocean temperatures in the western Pacific.
All could have more usual winter conditions as wetter conditions peter out.
Sydney will be wet but is likely to have more average conditions during winter.
Looking back at Autumn, the BOM has released preliminary data that showed much of northern and Western Australia had a warmer than average season albeit interspersed with periods of very cold weather?