The risk of an El Niño in coming months dropped after indicators eased for the event that brings drought to Asia and heavier-than-usual rains to South America. "Since late 2014, most ENSO indicators have eased back from borderline El Niño levels," the Bureau of Meteorology said on its Web site, referring to the El Niño Southern Oscillation by its initials. The Bureau lowered its outlook for the event to neutral from alert. For about a year, the Australian forecaster raised the possibility that the El Niño was on the way for the first time since 2010 before tempering their outlook as some indicators eased.

El Niño alert abandoned as Australia predicts 'neutral'. (2015, January 22). Business World, p. S1/5.