It's official Australia is in its second La Nina event in a row.
La Nina events are correlated with wetter than average conditions in many parts of Australia, especially eastern, northern and central regions.
Which means much of the nation can expect a cooler and wetter summer.
"La Nina increases the chance of cooler than average daytime temperatures for large parts of Australia and can increase the number of tropical cyclones that form," said BOM head of operational climate services Andrew Watkins.
The news comes at a time when flood warnings are in place across a suite of rivers across NSW.
Man in custody over missing Vic campers
Charges are expected to be laid over the disappearance of missing Victorian campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.
A 55-year-old Caroline Springs man is being questioned following a dramatic arrest by specialist police at a remote campsite in Arbuckle Junction on Monday night.
He remains in custody.
Liberal MP criticises anti-religious discrimination bill
A Liberal backbencher has not ruled out voting against the government's religious freedom legislation over concerns it would override her state's strong anti-discrimination regime and cause "unintended" harm
The Coalition party room backed the watered-down bill at a meeting on Tuesday, but not before Ms Archer and other moderate Liberals raised concerns about one of its key clauses.
ADF helps COVID response in Top End
Australian Defence Force personnel are lending a helping hand in the battle to control the Northern Territory's growing COVID-19 outbreak.
The latest cases are a man in his 40s from Katherine, a woman in her 20s from the nearby Binjari Aboriginal community and an infant from Robinson River, about 800km to the east.
They bring the outbreak to 40 infections, with wastewater testing indicating there could be many more to come.
In court...
A 21-year-old who breached Sydney's lockdown, partied in Newcastle and sparked a months-long lockdown in regional NSW is due to be sentenced.
While the three removalists who travelled to central western NSW from Sydney after a positive COVID-19 test are also due to be sentenced.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton is set to hear whether his lawsuit over a six-word tweet has succeeded. The Federal Court will deliver judgement on Wednesday afternoon on the Queensland MP's defamation claim, launched after refugee advocate Shane Bazzi tweeted the MP was a "rape apologist".
Children's word of the year
"Power" has been named as Australian children's word of the year for 2021 by Oxford.
A fitting illustration of how those aged between seven and 13 have attempted to reclaim control of their lives in the face of COVID-19, "power" takes the crown from 2020 winner "virus".
It beat shortlisted candidates including "love", "kindness", "humanity", "environment" and the somewhat off-topic "dragon".
Jon Batiste leads Grammy nods
Jazz musician Jon Batiste has led nominations for the Grammy Awards with 11 nods, followed by Justin Bieber, Doja Cat and HER with eight apiece.
Batiste and Bieber will compete for the top prize - album of the year - along with Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, HER, Kanye West, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, newcomer Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift, organisers said.
The Grammys, the highest honours in the music industry, will be handed out at a ceremony in Los Angeles on January 31
- with Australian Associated Press