Australia prepares for daylight saving and extreme weather risks

Australia is preparing for seasonal transitions involving both time changes and heightened weather risks. Daylight saving time is scheduled to begin on October 4, 2026, in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. During this period, clocks will advance by one hour at 2:00 AM until April 4, 2027. States including Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory will not participate in the time change.

Simultaneously, meteorological forecasts indicate a period of extreme weather risks. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology suggests that temperatures across much of the country may exceed seasonal averages between October and December. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that a strong El Niño phenomenon is forming, which is expected to intensify through the southern hemisphere's spring. This phenomenon typically brings warmer, drier conditions to parts of Australia, increasing the risk of droughts and bushfires.

Meteorologists note that while rainfall may be below average in eastern and southern regions, it may be higher in western and northern areas. The Australian Fire and Emergency Service Commissioners Authority (AFAC) has highlighted elevated bushfire risks in several regions, including northern and southeastern New South Wales, southeastern Queensland, northeastern Tasmania, and parts of Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.