<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia will sweat through a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/weather" rel="" target="_blank" title="dry, hot"><span>dry, hot</span></a><span> autumn as long-range forecasts show above-average temperatures and below-average </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/rain" rel="" target="" title="rainfall"><span>rainfall</span></a><span> on the horizon.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There will be no relief at night either, with above-average overnight temperatures predicted across much of Australia for March, April and May.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Bureau of Meteorology (</span><a href="https://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/outlooks/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="BOM"><span>BOM</span></a><span>) also currently rates the chances of an </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/el-nino-forecast-chances-rise-of-hot-dry-weather-system/5b14e487-185d-431b-b9f0-edb17719fead" rel="" target="_blank" title="El Niño developing"><span>El Niño developing</span></a><span> in the second half of the year at about 90 per cent, bringing more hot, dry conditions.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Here's what Australians have to look forward to in autumn 2026.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/isis-bride-banned-from-returning-minister-confirms-passports/89c77960-817b-4759-b7aa-6a7c1b2ff32c" target="_blank"><strong><span>At least one 'ISIS bride' blocked from returning as minister confirms group has passports</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Autumn temperatures</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The BOM is predicting temperatures are very likely (about 80 per cent) to be above average across most of the country from March to May.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/autumn-weather-forecast-australia-2026-state-by-state/098c6893-9a0e-48df-b27f-f0d41aec9f4f" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's expected that maximum temperatures will surge well above average in NSW, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and WA this autumn.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Chances are a little lower in Queensland and the Northern Territory at about 50 per cent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Temperatures will stay high when the sun goes down too.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>According to the BOM, it's very likely overnight temperatures will be above average across much of Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/mark-zuckerberg-to-testify-in-social-media-addiction-trial/c4f2e056-f4d5-42e1-b955-668aba56a378" target="_blank"><strong><span>Mark Zuckerberg to testify in watershed social media trial</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Autumn rainfall</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The BOM is predicting below-average autumn rainfall across most of Australia's southern regions, including NSW, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia, and most parts of WA.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>North-eastern Tasmania and South Australia's interior specifically are forecast to receive unusually low rainfall.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The drier-than-average conditions could put some states on high alert for bushfire risk.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's a slightly different story up north.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The rainfall forecast for March to May in much of northern Australia isn't leaning one way or another yet, meaning it could be below, above, or right on average.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And parts of Cape York Peninsula, the Top End and northern Kimberley are slated for above-average rainfall in March.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/melbourne-crime-man-arrested-after-bomb-scare-near-two-schools-in-st-kilda-east/c6a13748-8525-4bb3-a97f-bd8aed5ff755" target="_blank"><strong><span>Man charged after alleged Melbourne school bomb scare</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 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