For the period from October through to the end of December, it has forecast that nearly all of Australia has a strong probability of copping high than average maximum daytime temperatures and minimum night time temperatures.

But with that also comes a forecast for a strong chance of above average rainfall for all of northern and western Australia, but not for southern NSW, Victoria and South Australia (see maps).

The Bureau says the pattern of seasonal temperature and rainfall odds across Australia is mostly a result of continued warmth in the central to southeastern Indian Ocean, especially off the west coast of WA.

The chance of exceeding the median maximum temperature for October to December is between 60pc and 75pc for much of Australia, including the eastern states, most of SA, eastern and northern parts of the NT, and southern WA.

The chances of above average maximum temperatures increase to 75-85pc over southeastern parts of SA, southern NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.

Across the rest of WA and the NT, the chances of a warmer than average December quarter are between 45pc and 60pc, indicating roughly equal chances of warmer or cooler than normal conditions, the Bureau says.

On the rainfall outlook, the Bureau says it should be noted that the December quarter is a seasonally dry time of year in northwest WA, with heavy rain being uncommon.

It also noted there has been a moderate shift in the odds favouring drier conditions in southeastern Australia, including Tasmania.

The chances of exceeding the median rainfall for October to December are between 70pc and 75pc for Central Queensland and western parts of WA, rising to 75-80pc in the Gascoyne region of WA.

Over much of the rest of central to western WA the odds for exceeding the median rainfall are between 60-70pc, as they are over northern NSW, the eastern NT and most remaining areas of Queensland.

In contrast, the chances of exceeding median rainfall for October to December are between 30pc and 40pc across Tasmania, southern Victoria (except east Gippsland) and southeast SA.

In coastal regions of southwest Victoria the chances drop a little below 30pc.

Across the rest of the country, including northern Victoria, southern NSW, much of SA and eastern WA, the chances of exceeding the median rainfall for October to December are between 40pc and 60pc, meaning that above average falls are about as equally likely as below average totals in these regions.