The Bureau of Meteorology yesterday released its long range forecast which predicts the arrival of the wet would be pretty much on average, likely early next year.

After the return of a traditional wet season, it has been a traditional dry season to follow for Katherine.

It has been hot and dry.

The last time any falls were recorded in Katherine was April 14 but dry season monthly rain averages are in the single figures mostly.

Temperatures have been higher than average.

Minimum temperatures have been 2.6 degrees hotter than a dry season normal and maximum temperatures have been 2.9 degrees hotter this month.

The bureau said a “early rainfall onset” was likely for parts of the Kimberley and Cape York.

The rainfall onset requires a total of 50mm.

“There is an increased chance of an early rainfall onset for 2017-18 across parts of northern Australia,” the bureau said.

“The Cape York Peninsula, the Kimberley, and areas near the WA-NT border are likely to have an early rainfall onset. Elsewhere in northern Australia, the chances of an early or late rainfall onset are roughly equal,” the bureau said.

“The northern rainfall onset indicates the first significant rains after the dry season.”