Temperatures are expected to climb above average across the entire state this spring, a report from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) shows.
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The three month forecast shows drier than average conditions for New South Wales.
The BOM 2019 spring outlook, released on August 29, shows that it is likely most of the country will experience a warmer and drier spring.
The major driver this year will be the Indian Ocean Dipole which has been in the positive for the past
Head of long-range forecasting Doctor Andrew Watkins said, "a positive IOD means we have cooler than average waters between Australia and Indonesia.
"This generally means less cloud than normal forms to the northwest of Australia, resulting in less rainfall and higher than average temperatures over central and southeastern Australia during winter and spring.
"El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the other main driver, remains neutral, meaning it's having little influence over Australia's climate right now."
When ENSO coincides with a positive IOD, the two phenomena can reinforce their dry impacts. The last time both ENSO and IOD were positive was in 2015.
Dr Watkins said it is unlikely for significant widespread rainfall during spring.
"Unfortunately, the outlook is not indicating an easing of conditions in drought areas." Dr Watkins said.
The BOM will release its findings for winter on Monday, however preliminary reports show that temperatures in New South Wales were above average.
Winter daytime temperatures will likely fall in the top 10 since BOM's record-keeping began.
Rainfall across the state was below average.
The BOM is introducing new climate outlooks, including weekly and fortnightly forecasts, issued more frequently.
"This will essentially bridge the gap between our seven-day forecast and the existing monthly and seasonal climate outlooks," Dr Watkins said.
Bush fire seasonal outlook
There is an increased chance of bushfire risk for parts of the Southern Tablelands during the 2019-20 fire season.
The Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook, released in August, shows this year's fire season has the potential to be very active due to the warm and dry conditions.
This means that a large fire could take hold faster mostly due to the recent and predicted weather.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries shows that nearly all of NSW is in drought: 55 per cent of the state is drought affected; 23pc is experiencing drought; and 17pc is in intense drought.
The bushfire outlook shows that areas declared to be in early bush fire season is due to widespread significant soil moisture deficit.
There is a significant concern for an above normal fire season in forested areas on and east of the Great Dividing Range.
There is normal fire potential for areas west of the Divide, however fire may be fuelled by dried out or dying grassy vegetation creating the potential for fire to spread rapidly.
The outlook is developed by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and AFAC and is used by fire authorities.
