Australia braces for what could be its most severe El Nino in 70 years

Australia’s weather bureau is warning that what could be the most severe El Nino event in 70 years is taking shape. It said the pattern is likely to cut winter and spring rainfall sharply across the east while lifting daytime temperatures in the south. Australia is a major global exporter of wheat and sugar, and past El Nino episodes hit output, including a steep drop in grain and oilseed production in 2015–2016. Experts say global warming could amplify this year’s impacts, posing a material threat to wheat and sugar production prospects.