In an ironic twist, and despite this week’s wonderful rain that has produced falls of approximately 40mm (160points on the old scale) in some areas of the Parkes shire, the Bureau of Meteorology is likely to issue a statewide warning within a couple of days about the ever-increasing possibility of another drought-causing El Nino.

NSW manager of climate services Clinton Rakich said the likelihood of seeing a return of El Nino this year was very high.

“It is developing,” he said.

“We’ll likely see the event (officially) called in later winter or spring so it is important that people remain aware of the dry and warm winter conditions.”

According to the Bureau of Meteorology website, the term El Nino refers to the extensive warming of the central and eastern Pacific that leads to a major shift in weather patterns across that area.

In Australia (Particularly eastern Australia), El Nino events are associated with an increased probability of drier conditions.

While most districts have experienced wet conditions this week, Mr Rakich said the amount of rain the state would experience during the winter and spring period would not be enough.

“The 25 to 50mm experienced around the state this week while welcome will not be sufficient enough to alter the threat. It is most unlikely these types of conditions will continue,” he said.

“Every El Nino is different but they usually a result of the dry and warm conditions that we have experienced and will continue to see.”

Mr Rakich said the El Nino conditions experienced in 2002 and again in 2006 had very severe consequences. He urged farmers in particular to remain wary.

“It’s important for landholders west of the divide to be watching the situation closely. It will evolve quite rapidly,” he said.

Meanwhile, the rain which has fallen this week has given Parkes a wonderful start for June.

Parkes yesterday had recorded some 33 mm for the first four days of the month - within reach of the June monthly average of 52mm.