Second-driest April on record for NSW as likely El Niño brings threat of dry year ahead

There is some uncertainty about El Niño but if the ‘elephant in the room’ arrives it could bring more dry weather, experts say

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New South Wales has recorded its second-driest April on record, according to the weather bureau, as much of the country headed into a dry spell.

Rainfall was below average across every state last month, conditions that were likely to continue throughout winter, according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s long-range forecast, which indicated El Niño was likely to develop.