Warmest winter on record for millions but big freeze around the corner
Updated . First published at
Parts of Australia are seeing their warmest winter on record.
Sydney, as well as other parts of NSW, and eastern and northern parts of the nation have had a balmy few months not seen before, experts say,
Beachgoers soak up the sun at Bondi Beach in June. George Chan
In June, July and August so far the city has been just over two degrees warmer than the long-time average, according to 167 years of data, Weatherzone says.
Temperatures have been averaging 10.8 degrees for minimums, 19.5 degrees for maximums, it says.
“Combining the city’s overnight minimums and daytime maximums gives an average of 15.1 degrees so far,” Weatherzone Senior Meterologist Brett Dutschke, said.
“This is 0.6 degrees warmer than the previous record to August 8th, set in 2013.
“Being warmer than average by as much as 2.3 degrees may seem like quite a lot. However, so far this century, all winters have been warmer than the long-term average. ”
He said it was 48 years ago, in 1978 that Sydney was colder than the long-term norm.
And if Sydneysiders feel there have been fewer bone-chilling mornings, they’d be right.
“The city failed to cool below six degrees last winter and is on track to do the same this winter,” he said.
“Since temperatures have been recorded in 1859, the city has cooled below six degrees an average of eight or nine times each winter.”
The balmy weather will continue this week, with highs of up to 21 degrees in Sydney.
Melbourne is in for showers, especially on Monday, with highs of 16 degrees.
Hobart will be similar.
Adelaide is also in for a wet week.
Brisbane will also see showers on Monday before the sunshine returns for the rest of the week.
Temperatures will reach highs in the low 20s.
Perth will also come out of Monday showers with warm days and cooler nights, with a low of 3 degrees set for Tuesday night.
However, a big freeze is heading for some parts of the nation.
The mountains are finally seeing snow after a lack of the white stuff earlier in the season. Thredbo
The mountains are finally seeing snow after a lack of the white stuff earlier in the season.
Perisher, NSW has blizzards this afternoon and more forecast.
It’ll be down to minus 2 overnight.
“We should start reaping the benefits of this storm tomorrow, with rain turning to snow showers overnight and continuing through the day. The days following are also looking promising for snowfall,” it says on its website.
Thredbo Resort is also forecasting snow into the week, with highs of just minus 2.
Canberra will also temperature dip to zero degrees overnight this week.
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