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TALKING ABOUT A MAJOR CLIMATE DRIVER — EL NIÑO

Feb 18, 2027 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm E. Australia Standard Time

REGISTER FREE! INROOM OR ONLINE
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The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) refers to warmer (El Niño) and cooler (La Niña) states of the central and eastern tropical Pacific region. ENSO is considered one of the dominant modes of climate variability in Australia. The influence of each individual event varies, particularly in conjunction with other climate indicators such as the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). The ENSO signal is characterised by sea surface temperature (SST) patterns in the central and eastern tropical Pacific. Cooler than average SSTs are associated with La Niña, while warmer SSTs are associated with El Niño. Changes in mean sea level pressure are used to monitor ENSO. The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) refers to the difference in mean sea level pressure (MSLP) anomalies between Tahiti and Darwin. Higher pressure at Darwin and lower pressure at Tahiti is indicative of El Niño, with the opposite indicative of La Niña. The 2026 El Niño is reaching record strength, including record warm sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. However El Niño is only one influence on rainfall and temperature in Australia. This talk will give an overview of ENSO, the 2026 El Niño and other influences including the impact of climate change on rainfall and temperature in Australia, and how El Niño and its impacts may change in the future.
 

NOTE: THIS EVENT IS ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE.
 
Register and the Microsoft Teams meeting link to join online will be provided in your 'Registration Confirmation' email.

 
 
 
🌦️OUR PRESENTERS
 
 
CAITLIN MINNEY
 
Caitlin Minney is a Climatology Specialist at the Bureau of Meteorology working in extended prediction. She joined the Bureau through the APS STEM Graduate Program in 2023.
 
Caitlin's work includes the  analysis of climate drivers, drought, the long-range forecast and high risk weather season preparedness. Her communication experience covers presenting the long-range forecast on ABC Landline, multiple regional and national radio appearances and cross-agency high-risk weather season and hazard preparedness.
 
🎓 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
 
Caitlin Minney is deeply embedded in atmospheric and earth sciences at the University of Melbourne, where her academic history includes:
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Enrolled as a PhD student in in the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Science researching drought attribution in southern Australia.
  • Master of Science (Earth Science- Atmospheric Stream): Completed with First Class Honours (2020–2022), focusing her research on tracking carbon monoxide emissions from biomass burning during Australia's catastrophic 2019–2020 "Black Summer" bushfires.
  • Bachelor of Science (Climate and Weather): Completed from 2016–2019.
 
QIAN ZHOU
 
 
Qian Zhou is a Climatology Specialist and public spokesperson with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Her expertise spans seasonal forecasting, climate variability, and long-range outlooks, with a particular focus on climate drivers such as El Niño, La Niña, and the Indian Ocean Dipole. 
Qian regularly provides climate analysis and commentary for national and regional media, helping translate complex climate science into practical information that supports decision-making across agriculture, emergency management, government, and the broader community.
 
🎓 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
  • Master of Climate Change, Australian National University (ANU)
  • Bachelor of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology (NUIST)

IN THE NEWS
 
Where
Deception Bay Environmental Hub
7 Joseph Crescent
Deception Bay, QLD 4508
Australia
Organizers

PR

Peter Row
organiser.redcliffesunrise@gmail.com
0499099571