BALLARAT should prepare for a hot summer, as a long-term weather forecast shows warm conditions caused by a La Niña system and a warm Indian Ocean. The south-east Australian temperature outlook for December to February, released yesterday by the Bureau of Metrology, shows an 80 per cent chance that average maximum temperatures will exceed long-term trends. The outlook says a persistently warm Indian Ocean and the La Niña weather system will contribute to warm conditions over the summer months. Southern South Australia is also likely to have higher temperatures, while north-eastern NSW has a high chance of cooler conditions for the same period. The forecast report, regularly released by the bureau, says minimum temperatures across south-eastern Australia during summer are likely to be consistent with previous years. For the more immediate future, Weatherzone Meteorologist Josh Fisher said Ballarat would have mixed conditions over the next few days. “Thursday will have clear and sunny conditions with a top of 21 degrees. “Cloud will increase on Friday, with patchy rain developing as a low forms over the south-eastern interior,” he said. Saturday’s temperature will reach a top of 22 degrees and the region can expect 5-10 mm of rain. Patchy rain will continue into Sunday, with a chance of a shower or two and a top of 16 degrees. Mr Fisher said next week will bring increasing sunshine and warmer temperatures in the region.