Australia weather forecaster puts chance of El Nino in 2023 at 70%

FILE PHOTO: Grain silos are seen on the horizon near Moree, Australia, October 28, 2020. Picture taken October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Barrett/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's weather bureau said on Tuesday there was a 70% chance this year of an El Nino weather pattern developing, typically associated with hotter, dryer weather.

The Bureau of Meteorology said its climate models and indicators have now met the criteria to raise the level to "alert" from "watch" for the possibility an El Nino event.