Skiers and boarders may be in for a disappointing Australian season this year as two major climate drivers collide, potentially resulting in poor or lower-than-average snowfall.
Meteorologists at Weatherzone said that though it's not guaranteed, if the "unfavourable combination" of El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Diopole (IOD) comes to fruition, "the Australian alps may have a poor snow season by historic standards".
"Unlike the atmosphere, which changes a lot from week to week, the ocean takes a long time to warm up and cool down. This makes ocean temperatures more predictable weeks to months in advance," the weather authority explained.
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This means that ocean temperatures may give an indication of how much snowfall we can expect on Australian alps.
According to a Bureau of Meteorology study, snow depth has been found to be up to 20 per cent lower during El Niño years than it is when the Pacific Ocean is in a neutral state.
The "worst combination of Pacific and Indian Ocean climate drivers" for Aussie peak snow depth is "El Niño and positive IOD".
"While this combination has only happened eight times since 1960, it was responsible for the only two years that saw less than 100 cm of snow at Spencers Creek (1982 and 2006)," Weatherzone said.
"Unfortunately for Australian snow-lovers and industries that rely on the winter snowpack, both El Niño and a positive IOD are predicted to occur in 2023.
"If they do materialise, the Australian alps may have a poor snow season.
"However, it is important to reiterate that while El Niño and a positive IOD increase the likelihood of a below-average snow season, they don't guarantee it."
Adelaide hit with city's wettest November day in nearly 60 years
The news comes as officials prepare to officially announce an El Niño event - set to bring dyer, warmer conditions throughout winter - which has all but been guaranteed by meteorologists, who say it's "likely to very likely".
Though that may mean above-average temperatures in the pipeline, Aussies have shivered through a cold-snap this week, with Friday bearing no exception.
Across the capital cities today, Sydney will see blue skies and reach a top of 17 degrees with a low of seven, in Melbourne it'll be rainy with a top of just 14 and lows of seven.
In the nation's capital it'll reach 13 degrees with Canberrans shivering through a low of -3, tops of 16 in Adelaide with scattered showers, while in Brisbane, it'll be 22 and sunny.
In the country's west, Perth will reach 25 degrees today with partly cloudy conditions.
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