Climate models warn of possible ‘super El Niño’ before end of year

But the bureau and climate scientists warned that forecasts were much less reliable during the southern hemisphere autumn and outlooks should be "viewed with some caution".

Several of the forecasts suggest temperatures could get this high by October, but scientists again urged caution with the results.

"Even so, nature has a way of tripping us up just when we think we know it all," he said.

"The really big ones reverberate all over the planet with extreme droughts, floods, heatwaves, and storms. If it happens, we'll need to buckle up. It could also fizzle out. We should be watchful and prepared either way."

Those conditions increased the risk of bushfires and heatwaves, she said.