Katherine is in a small patch across the continent where it may be drier than average, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

The October to December outlook, issued yesterday, shows an equal chance of wetter or drier conditions across Australia.

This means there is no strong driver pushing our climate towards widespread significantly wetter or drier conditions, according to the bureau.

October is likely to be drier for the Pilbara and surrounds, but wetter than average for eastern Tasmania.

Daytime temperatures are likely to be warmer than average for the northwestern half of Australia and the southeast for October to December.

October to December nights are likely to be warmer than average over the northern half of Australia, and most of the eastern states.

Chances are highest — greater than 80% — in the far north and southeast Australia for lower than average rainfall.

Climate influences from the Indian and Pacific oceans are likely to be competing, with a weak drying influence from the Indian Ocean potentially cancelling out a slightly wet influence from the Pacific Ocean.