El Nino declared officially over by Bureau of Meteorology

The "incredibly strong" El Nino period that drove Australia's temperatures through the roof is over, paving the way for a possible La Nina pattern.

The 2015-16 El Nino, which caused drought and record-breaking temperatures, ranks in the top three of all time, the Bureau of Meteorology's manager of climate prediction Andrew Watkins said.

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.

Australia has just endured its hottest year on record, from April last year to this April.

Globally, last year was the hottest on record, with the past 12 months each setting a record for high temperatures.

The last phase of El Nino also saw below average to well below average rainfall across eastern and northern Australia in April.

But relief should be on the way, with the BoM saying there is a 50 percent chance of a La Nina this year, bringing above average winter-spring rainfall over most parts of Australia, except Western Australia.

El Niño and La Niña episodes typically last nine to 12 months, according to the BoM.