Just as the State Government announced that only about 10 per cent of Queensland was now in drought, BoM warned that there was a high chance of lower rainfall in Australia, with southern states likely to see the biggest reduction.

There is still a stronger-than-normal chance of an El Nino forming this winter.

“While the models show it’s very likely that the tropical Pacific Ocean temperatures will reach El Niño levels during winter, a shift in the tropical atmosphere is also needed for us to declare an El Niño event,” BoM’s extended prediction technical lead Catherine Ganter said.

She said any change to the El Niño watch status would not change the long-range forecast which is already trending towards warm and dry for most of Australia.

While Queenslanders shivered through some cold weather in May, BoM said autumn was warmer than usual.

“Below average rainfall is likely in winter across almost all of Queensland,” BoM said.

The exception was the eastern Cape region.

“Parts of southern Queensland were likely to have cooler winter nights.

Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said for the first time in 10 years less than 10 per cent of the state was drought declared.

Only Diamantina and Bulloo council areas remain drought declared.