The "incredibly strong" El Nino period that drove Australia's temperatures through the roof is over, paving the way for rainfall associated with a possible La Nina pattern.
The 2015-16 El Nino, which caused drought and increased temperatures, ranks among the three biggest on record, Bureau of Meteorology climate prediction manager Andrew Watkins says.
But now the weather pattern that led to a seemingly endless summer for eastern Australia is finally over and cooler temperatures are on the way, he says.
The last La Nina brought with it the devastating 2010-11 Queensland floods.
"That was one of the strongest La Ninas on record and this one is not looking like the strength of that previous one," Dr Watkins told AAP.
For Australia, it will mean generally cooler weather in the south and wetter conditions in the east.
If a La Nina pattern - which, like El Ninos, are determined by temperatures in the Pacific Ocean - does not eventuate, Australia will head for a neutral period.
"If that happens the question then will be: what are the next climate drivers waiting in the wings to take over the mantle of king climate drivers," Dr Watkins said.
As for the El Nino just ended, it ranks with the 1982-83 and 1997-98 phases as the biggest of its kind.
Globally, 2015 was the hottest year on record, courtesy of El Nino.
Dr Watkins said during that period temperatures in the Pacific Ocean were almost 2.5C above normal.
"When you consider 0.8 degrees is the definition of El Nino you get an idea of how incredibly strong it was," he said.
While cooler temperatures are coming, it might not be time to be rugging up just yet.
"We're still going to have lingering effects of El Nino to some degree," Dr Watkins said.
