Winter has arrived in Australia, bringing with it plunging temperatures and widespread frost. A polar air mass is expected to sweep across the country, causing sub-zero temperatures and frost in large parts of southeastern Australia. Meanwhile, a thick rain band, fuelled in part by “unusual” tropical moisture, is set to deliver rain to every state and territory by the end of the week.
Record Cold Temperatures
On Monday morning, Sydney’s Olympic Park observation site recorded its coldest June morning on record, dropping to 1.8 degrees Celsius. Mudgee and Glenn Innes in New South Wales fell to -6C, and Bathurst and Orange both neared -5C. Heavy bouts of snow also fell in Victoria and New South Wales. The cold snap came as a strong cold front pushed across southeastern Australia.
Widespread Frost
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the frigid temperatures are far from over, with widespread frost expected for the next two days. Overnight minimum temperatures are forecast to fall to near below freezing from southern Queensland to Tasmania on Tuesday and Wednesday. Some parts of southern Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania will struggle to reach double digits during the day. These temperatures are between 4 and 8 degrees below average overnight and up to 6 degrees below average during the day.
Stand-out temperatures include a minimum temperature forecast of -8C for Mount Hotham on Tuesday morning. On Wednesday morning, minimum temperatures of between 0 and 3C are forecast for Sydney’s west, including Penrith. Frost has also been forecast from inland southern Queensland through most of inland NSW and Victoria and northeastern Tasmania, as well as a small section of WA’s Wheatbelt.
Possibility of Snow
Some more elevated areas of the New South Wales tablelands have the possibility of a dusting of snow, including Orange and Oberon overnight Monday into Tuesday. The Stirling Ranges, in Western Australia’s southwest, also have the possibility of snow about the peaks, typically only experienced once or twice a year on average.
Unusual Tropical Rain
As the cold air grips the east, a large-scale cloud band fuelled in part by “tropical” moisture has been developing in the west. It is set to deliver rainfall to every state and territory by the end of the week as it links up with a cold front in the southwest. While the feature is a fixture of the weather charts during the summer months, it is more “unusual” for this time of year.
The cloud band is already bringing showers and rain areas across much of WA, apart from the Kimberley. It will move toward central Australia on Tuesday and Wednesday, reaching southeastern Australia on Wednesday and Thursday. Ms Scully said it would bring rainfall to several regions that typically saw nothing but blue skies this time of year, including the Pilbara in WA.
Conclusion
In conclusion, winter has arrived in Australia, bringing with it record cold temperatures, widespread frost, and the possibility of snow. A thick rain band, fuelled in part by “unusual” tropical moisture, is set to deliver rain to every state and territory by the end of the week. While unusual for this time of year, this weather pattern is a reminder that winter is here and that Australians need to take precautions to stay safe and warm during this season.
Headings:
– Introduction
– Record Cold Temperatures
– Widespread Frost
– Possibility of Snow
– Unusual Tropical Rain
– Conclusion