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A third-consecutive La Niña event has been predicted for Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology [BoM] has indicated, meaning wet conditions will likely continue into summer for millions.

The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed La Niña is underway in the Pacific Ocean.

"Models indicate this La Niña event may peak during the spring and return to neutral conditions early in 2023," the bureau said.

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"La Niña events increase the chances of above-average rainfall for northern and eastern Australia during spring and summer."

It will be the first time Australia has seen three-consecutive La Niña events in 20 years.

"La Niña was in place during the last two Southern Hemisphere summers," said Weatherzone in a statement. "The first event occurred between late-September 2020 and March 2021, followed by a second La Niña from November 2021 to June 2022.

"It is not uncommon to see La Niña occurring over two consecutive seasons. This happened as recently as 2020-22 and 2010-12.

"However, it is rare to see three consecutive La Niña events. Prior to 2020, the U.S. CPC only recognise two triple-dip events in records dating back to 1950 (1973-1976 and 1998-2001). However, the Bureau of Meteorology also classify 1954 to 1957 as a triple-dip La Niña, making it three triple La Niña events between 1950 and 2019."

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Australia hit with two wet weather events

The BoM said a negative Indian Ocean Dipole is continuing which means Australia's temperatures are cooler-than-average.

Negative Indian Ocean Dipoles also lead to more rainfall meaning bad news for Aussies hoping for a hot and dry summer.

"All surveyed climate models agree that negative IOD conditions are likely to continue into late spring," the bureau said.

"A negative IOD event is typically associated with above average spring rainfall for much of Australia.

"When a La Niña and negative IOD combine, it further increases the likelihood of above-average rainfall over Australia, particularly in the eastern half of the continent."

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What does this mean for summer?

With the return of La Niña and the lingering negative Indian Ocean Dipole, eastern and northern Australia are likely to see above-average rain and flooding during the rest of spring and early summer.

"It also reduces the chance of extremely hot days and will likely lessen the intensity of heatwaves," Weatherzone said.

The good news is the risk of bushfires will be reduced in eastern Australia.

For those looking for a warmer and drier summer, this La Niña event is predicted to peak around November.

Residents told to prepare for yet another flood season

This third La Niña event also enhances the risk of flooding for already saturated parts of Australia.

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NSW State Emergency Services have warned residents to prepare for the risk of flooding again.

"There is already wet soil, high rivers and full dams right across our state, and with more rain on the horizon comes the very real possibility of flooding," commissioner Carlene York said.

"If you live in a flood-prone area, I urge you to take steps to prepare now. Make sure you know your risk, have an up-to-date emergency plan and emergency kit. Preparing early will save you vital time during an emergency."

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The Queen's coffin is due to arrive in London soon, and the city's authorities are planning their way through a logistical nightmare – how to facilitate the hundreds of thousands of mourners wishing to pay their respects.

Estimates of how many people will go to see the late monarch as she lies in state this week vary from 750,000 to one million.

Anticipating long queues, mourners have already started camping out days ahead of the Queen's coffin arriving.

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"I really, really want to be part of it," Vanessa Nathakumaran said after becoming the first person to take a place just south of Lambeth Bridge, where it is expected the official entrance to the queue will be set up.

Elizabeth II's coffin will be taken from Edinburgh to Buckingham Palace in the early hours of Wednesday morning (Australian time), before a ceremonial procession escorts it to Westminster Hall at around 11pm (AEST).

The Queen will then lie in state from 2am (AEST) on Thursday until 3:30pm next Monday, giving members of the public four and a half days to visit the coffin and pay their respects.

The British press is throwing around different estimates about queuing times.

The Sun reports it could be up to 12 hours, but another publication quoted an MP saying it could be more than double that.

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"Queues could be up to 30 hours as we are obviously expecting and planning for unprecedented demand," The Times reported Culture secretary Michelle Donelan as saying to fellow MPs in a WhatsApp message.

Mourners will have to go through airport-style security screening, which will enforce a strict policy on bags and other items people are allowed to bring with them.

Officials have told people to not bring any camping equipment or chairs, saying the line will remain constantly moving.

"Please note that the queue is expected to be very long," the UK Government website states.

"You will need to stand for many hours, possibly overnight, with very little opportunity to sit down, as the queue will keep moving."

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The line is expected to stretch from Parliament along the bank of the River Thames, and officials have advised commuters in the city to change their working patterns because London is expected to be extremely busy in the coming days.

There are also concerns that not everyone wanting to pay their respects as the Queen lies in state will get their wish.

If the estimate of 750,000 mourners is accurate, that would make for one person seeing the coffin every half a second over the course of the four and a half days.

The government has warned that the line to Westminster Hall may shut early as a result.

"The queue may close early to ensure as many visitors as possible can enter the palace before the lying-in-state period comes to an end," it states on its website.

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There have already been massive crowds lining up to pay respects to the Queen as she lies in state in Edinburgh, where the coffin is on display at St Giles' Cathedral – but in this case only for 24 hours.

Rosamund Allen, 67, came to Edinburgh from Rothbury in northern England to be part of history.

"It was very moving. It was very quiet," she said.

"I felt very sorry for the family itself to be on show. They are very brave to do that. And I really hope and pray that they get something out of today and have a chance to mourn themselves.

"They were very kind to allow us to be part of their sadness."

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Former soldier and Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith will reportedly travel to London to attend Queen Elizabeth II's funeral commemorations.

Recipients of the prestigious military honour, the Victoria Cross, are invited to royal funeral commemorations by Buckingham Palace under current protocols.

It is understood they will participate in an order of chivalry procession on the day of the Queen's funeral.

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"It's a great honour, it really is a great honour to be able to be there for this sad occasion," Roberts-Smith told The West Australian.

"In every dealing that I have ever had with her, I was quite taken aback by her intelligence, her kindness and her willingness to make you feel welcome."

A spokeswoman for Roberts-Smith confirmed his invitation and intentions to attend the commemorations for Her Majesty's funeral to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Roberts-Smith is currently awaiting the outcome of a defamation case against The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age – owned by Nine, the publisher of this website – and The Canberra Times over 2018 reports claiming he committed war crimes in Afghanistan, including unlawful killings, acts of bullying and domestic violence.

The 43-year-old denies all claims of wrongdoing. The mastheads have defended them as true.

The Sydney Morning Herald also reported fellow Victoria cross recipients Daniel Keighran and Keith Payne are expected to attend the funeral commemorations if possible.

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