Weather in Australia 2023 and up

[Mark]

Canberra experienced a historic cold snap early Monday morning, with temperatures plummeting to -6.9C (19.6F) — the coldest temperature ever recorded in any spring month since record books began back in 1923, besting the previous seasonal low of -6.8C (19.8F) from Sept 2012.

This unseasonable freeze was the result of a brutal Antarctic air mass that engulfed southeastern Australia. The cold front brought showers to Canberra and late-season snow to the alpine areas of New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, and also the ACT.

Even some towns on the outskirts of the mountains experienced snowfalls.

While Thredbo's gondola was covered in fresh snow just days after closing for the season:
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/canberras-coldest-spring-morning

[Mark]

Australia shivered through one of its coldest September mornings ever on Tuesday, with record lows posted across Queensland and South Australia.

Adelaide has faced its coldest September morning in more than a century, with temperatures dipping as low as -0.2C (31.6F) in the northern suburbs and 1.3C (34.3F) in the city itself. Noarlunga, in the southern suburbs, posted a rare low of 3.5C (38.3F).

BOM senior forecaster Simon Timcke noted that it was the lowest September minimum temperature ever recorded at the West Terrace site, where the books date back over a century.

Queensland towns have also seen their coldest September mornings in years. Kingaroy, for example, hit 0.7C (33.3F), while Roma recorded a brisk 1.4C (34.5F)—about eight degrees below the average spring temp. Oakey registered even colder, at -2.5C (27.5F). The frosty conditions stretched along much of the Murray River.

Other South Australian locales also experienced the unseasonable September chill. Cleve, on the Eyre Peninsula, shivered through -0.4C (31.3F), the coldest temperature in its 67 years of record-keeping, and, notably, the first freezing temp ever recorded there.

Loxton, in the Riverland district, saw -1.9C (28.6F), its coldest spring night in 29 years. Edithburg, on the Yorke Peninsula, logged 0.1C (32.2F), its lowest spring temperature ever recorded—an exceptionally low reading for a coastal location.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/adelaides-coldest-september-temperature

[Mark]

Tom Saunders
abc.net.au
Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:09 UTC
According to the current forecasts,
© Anthony Adams
According to the current forecasts, Australia is on track to record its fifth-consecutive year of above-average rainfall.
Australia has experienced its wettest January-August since 2011, laying the platform for 2024 to become our fifth consecutive year with above-average rain — and potentially among the dampest ever.

While September is on average our driest month, the current spell of wet weather will continue this weekend as twin cloud bands deliver further rain to southern states.

Heavy falls and flooding are possible on the NSW north coast, the crescendo of an unseasonable north-west cloudband that brought rain to the majority of the country this week, including record falls in parts of WA and the NT.

Thankfully, the AFL Grand Final appears set to be played in good conditions — after a sunny and warm day today in Melbourne, a second rainband will arrive across south-eastern states by Sunday, while a third band of rain is possible next week.

Flood risk for NSW north coast

After a reliably dry start to the month, the past seven days brought a widespread soaking to Australia, culminating in heavy falls on the NSW northern coast during Friday.

In the 24 hours to 9am, Comboyne, near Port Macquarie, was drenched by 124 millimetres, the town's heaviest September fall in 16 years.

The heaviest rain then shifted to the Northern Rivers through Friday as a low-pressure system formed about 200 kilometres offshore from Evans Head.

The Tasman low is predicted by modelling to make a close swipe of the coast today, potentially bringing widespread falls near 100mm from the Gold Coast to Kempsey.

Heavy rain and flooding are possible this weekend near the Queensland and NSW border from a low pressure system just off the coast.

https://www.sott.net/article/495122-Australia-on-track-for-fifth-consecutive-wet-year-as-weekend-brings-further-rain-to-southern-states-and-flood-threat-to-NSW-coast

[Mark]

Australia has recorded its second-warmest October since national records began 114 years ago.
Bureau of Meteorology data of average of daily maximums and minimum temperatures, collected from hundreds of weather stations, revealed last month was 2.51 degrees above average, reports Weatherzone.
Reflecting the impact of climate change, October was the ninth month from 10 this year for temperatures across Australia significantly above average.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-weather-october-2024-second-warmest-since-records-began/b6a16cb1-8cce-4fdf-8def-dccd530a7ff4

[Mark]

By April Glover
9News Staff
Warning of more severe storms and increased fire risk ahead for Queensland
1 / 4><
Three air systems colliding sparked lightning and torrential rain over south-east Queensland yesterday, but the region will continue to see lashing as a wet system moves over Australia.
Severe thunderstorms built out west yesterday, before travelling east and smashing the city.
More than 50 millimetres of rain was felt over parts during peak hour while lightning hit areas like Teneriffe, Regents Park and Boonah.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/weather-forecast-australia-thunderstorms-rain-wind-and-hail-queensland-western-australia-new-south-wales/4777e39c-1f54-4826-8a3b-a52c53a72e4f

[Mark]

Savannah Meacham and Fraser Barton
Goulburn Post
Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:24 UTC
Heavy rain in Charleville has caused some flooding but the worst of the weather seems over.
© Murweh Shire Council
Heavy rain in Charleville has caused some flooding
A regional Queensland town has been hit by flooding from severe thunderstorms with the state bracing for more wet weather.

The storms struck on Wednesday night with some areas reporting rainfall totals of close to 100mm in just an hour.

Lesdale, 700km west of Brisbane, had 92mm while nearby Charleville was soaked by 68mm.

A minor flood warning was issued for the Warrego River at Charleville after the sudden downpour.

Murweh Shire Mayor Shaun Radnedge said despite the heavy rain the levy bank and gully diversion were moving water to where it was supposed to be.

[Mark]

The pre-summer heatwave will come to an end across South Australia and most of Victoria this weekend, as the trough responsible for bringing in the heat is set to move across the region, bringing cooling showers and a southwesterly wind change.


 


The relief from this early season heat will certainly be a welcome change for SA on Saturday, with most of the state recording maximum temperatures more than 10 degrees above average on Friday. The biggest departure from average came from Mt Gambier, soaring to 37.7°C, more than 17°C above the November average. Meanwhile Adelaide sweltered at 37.5°C, more than 13°C above average. For both these locations, as well as many more across SA, it was the hottest day since March.
 
 


 


Gif: Infrared satellite image overnight for SA.


 


The trough has already increased cloud cover across the state overnight ahead of impending showers and the odd storm, however this cloud subjected the state to an uncomfortable night. The minimum temperatures to 7am CDT hovered in the low to mid 20s across central and southern SA, with Adelaide’s overnight minimum staying at 24.6°C.


 


That’s not to say it won’t cool down further during the day, with showers and isolated storms, accompanied by a southwesterly wind change and a much cooler airmass, set to sweep across southern and central parts of the state on Saturday. Rainfall totals are only expected to reach 15-30mm but will be widespread, allowing daytime relief while putting a slight dampener on weekend plans. Once the southwesterly winds pick up, temperatures will drop back towards the high teens to low twenties, still a warm night, but much easier to sleep through.

https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/from-sweltering-to-soggy-for-southeast-australia/1890116

[Mark]

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Millions of Australians are facing another scorching weekend, with heatwave warnings in place across multiple states.
Temperatures in western Sydney are expected to rise into the mid-30s, with the humidity to make it feel even hotter.
Hundreds are expected to flock to the newly re-opened "Pondi" of Penrith Beach today.
READ MORE: Tributes for Perth father killed in wall collapse

A heatwave will linger over multiple states this weekend. (9News)
Despite the heat, Sydney is also facing summer rain and a possible storm today, though severe weather warnings issued earlier have been cancelled.
Conditions are expected to ease tomorrow, with temperatures dropping back into the high 20s and an ongoing chance of rain.
However, the heatwave will persist in the state's north until Monday.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/heatwave-warnings-multiple-states-millions-face-scorching-conditions/168640e7-7a7d-4df2-8609-03b208eb2419

[Mark]

Western Australia is bracing for a brutal heatwave for at least five days, with temperatures soaring into the 40s and heightened fire risks affecting much of the state.


The prolonged period of heat will be generated by a stubborn high-pressure system and ridge over the Bight, which will direct hot northeasterly winds from Australia’s hot interior all the way to the west coast.








Images: Mean Sea Level Pressure charts (MSLP) showing a stubborn high pressure system and ridge remaining in the Bight for at least 5 days.


Maximum temperatures will reach the low to mid 40s for several days in the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions prompting a severe to extreme heatwave warning to be issued for the three days beginning on Friday, December 6.





Image: Heatwave severity forecast for WA for three days beginning on Friday, December 6. Source: Bureau of Meteorology


The heatwave conditions over the next six days will also bring high to extreme fire danger across much of the state. Fortunately, the large out-of-control fire that recently impactrd coastal communities to the north of Perth has been extinguished, however the communities of WA should remain alert.


While each day in the next week will be hot for WA, the hottest days are forecast to be this Sunday and Wednesday and Thursday next week.


You can see by mid next week the heat spreads to the south and west, impacting the Central and Lower West regions, including Perth.
https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/wa-faces-extreme-heatwave-and-fire-danger/1890178

[Mark]

By Allanah Sciberras

People living in central and southeastern parts of the country have been warned to brace for intense heat this weekend.
Victorians, in particular, will feel the heat, with temperatures expected to hit up to 45 in some areas – the first time in four years.
The extreme temperatures will bring severe heatwave conditions to both Victoria and South Australia.

Victoria's first 45°C in four years could happen on Monday. (Weatherzone)
Severe heatwave conditions are currently peaking over southwestern Western Australia, including the Perth Metropolitan Area, and are expected to gradually move eastward later in the week, reaching South Australia and Victoria by the weekend.
"This weekend will see temperatures approaching five to 10 degrees above average throughout much of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales," Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said.
"Monday will be the hottest day with temperatures up to 16 degrees above average."
https://www.9news.com.au/national/australian-weather-news-intense-burst-of-heat-to-hit-victoria-with-temperatures-up-to-45-degrees-expected/334a1326-5d6b-448d-8d49-3bc0c06cbdb

[Mark]

Extreme heatwave and fire conditions are forecast across large areas of WA, with daytime temperatures reaching the mid-40s and potential new December minimum temperature record for Perth. 


The relentless heat will be caused by a stubborn high pressure system in the Bight, with prevailing easterly winds dragging an extremely hot airmass over northern WA, which will then extend down the west coast on the weekend.





Image: 850hPa temperature and wind showing an extremely hot airmass sitting over much of WA at 8pm AWST on Saturday, December 21, according to ECMWF


This set up is causing severe to extreme heatwave conditions across the north and northwest of the state which will filter down the west coast on the weekend.   


The hot, dry and gusty easterly winds will also cause extreme fire danger across the Central and Lower West, the Great Southern and Central Wheat Belt districts on Sunday and Monday, when the heat peaks. 





Image: Heatwave severity for three days beginning on Friday, December 20. Source: Bureau of Meteorology


Maximum temperatures will soar into the mid to high 40s in the state’s north, before impacting the west coast on the weekend into early next week. The heatwave will peak on Sunday and Monday, before a cooler change arrives in the southwest of WA on Tuesday just before Christmas.


Minimum temperatures will also remain in the mid to high 20s overnight across northern WA and the west coast, with Western Australians likely running their air conditioners overnight. This usage throughout the next four days will cause energy demand to spike in the state, putting pressure on the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) and North West Interconnected System (NWIS). 

https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/extreme-heatwave-hits-wa-could-set-perths-warmest-december-night-on-record/1890223

[Mark]

Life-threatening floods are possible in parts of North Queensland tonight as a wet weather emergency forces highways and airports to shut. 
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays districts as heavy and locally-intense rainfall is forecast to continue today and tomorrow morning.
With six-hourly rainfall totals reaching 320mm, the showers are feared to lead to "dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding".
https://www.9news.com.au/national/north-queensland-weather-life-threatening-floods-possible/8606b68c-1fc8-4ab7-8677-17cc937e19c5

[Mark]

By 9News Staff
9:51am Jan 4, 2025

South-east Queensland has just lived through one of the wettest years in more than a century.
New figures have revealed that 2024 delivered Brisbane its highest number of rainy days in 134 years.
And the weather is following Queensland into the new year, as parts of the state are being warned to brace for more intense falls this weekend.
New figures have revealed that 2024 delivered Brisbane its highest number of rainy days in 134 years. (Fairfax Media/Catherine Strohfeldt )
In north Queensland heavy falls overnight led to flooding as heaving humidity gave way to a deluge, partially submerging a wakeboard park in Mackay.
The clean-up started early this morning but it's become an all too familiar routine for the business.
"Only two weeks ago it went under as well," Ben Mihan told 9News.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-weather-flooding-north-brisbane-2024-wettest-year-in-more-than-a-century/fccb88fc-1eed-4c0c-bf92-ce948f7376c6

[Mark]

Australia’s annual mean temperature was close to 1.5°C above average in 2024, making it the country’s second warmest year on record.


Data released this week by the Bureau of Meteorology has revealed that Australia’s national mean temperature in 2024 was 1.46°C above the 1961-1990 average. This is only the second time in 115 years of records that Australia’s annual temperature has been more than 1.4°C above this 30-year baseline. The only warmer year was 2019 – Australia's warmest and driest year on record – which had a mean annual temperature anomaly of +1.51°C.





Image: Australia’s annual mean temperature anomalies between 1910 and 2024. Source: Bureau of Meteorology


What makes 2024 exceptional is that, unlike 2019, there was quite a lot of rain in Australia, with 2024 ranking as the country’s wettest year since 2011 and its 8th wettest year in records dating back to 1900.


Historically, Australia’s warmest years have coincided with periods of low rainfall and drought. While some parts of southern and western Australia did see lacklustre rainfall in 2024, most of the country was abnormally wet. The map below shows the annual rainfall deciles in 2024. The blue areas had a wetter-than-average year, and the red areas were drier than usual.
https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/australia-registers-2nd-warmest-year-on-
record/1890245

[Mark]

A scorching week across huge parts of Western Australia has continued this Friday, although residents of Perth are enjoying some relief.


After a run of days with maximums of 37.9°C, 43.6°C, 38.3°C, 38.4°C and 39.7°C, Perth peaked at 32.1°C just before midday (AWST) on Friday. That looks likely to be the official maximum as the afternoon wears on with the sea breeze in full swing.


But it has been a different story inland, and also on much of the state’s southern coastline, where winds from the interior were still creating a furnace effect in the early afternoon.


Albany, known for being one of WA's coolest spots, reached 42.7°C right on midday on Friday before a cooling breeze finally kicked in a little later on in the afternoon.
Hopetoun, a coastal town a few hours east not far from Esperance, reached a tar-melting 45.7°C just after 2pm.
Leonora, a couple of hours north of Kalgoorlie in the Goldfields forecast district, reached 47.2°C just before 2pm.
https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/breezy-relief-for-perth-as-wa-melts/1890308

[Mark]

A dangerous combination of hot and windy conditions has South Australian authorities on high alert this long weekend.
Temperatures are expected to soar tomorrow as thousands of spectators descend on Adelaide for the final stage of the Tour Down Under.
The city circuit will take place during the hottest part of the day - with a top of 36 degrees in Adelaide tomorrow afternoon.
READ MORE: Hooded gunman caught on CCTV outside Adelaide home
South Australia is set to sear over the Australia Day long weekend.
South Australia is set to sear over the Australia Day long weekend. (Windy)
It will be very busy at South Australia's beaches too, with huge Australia Day crowds set to flock to the water.
People are being urged to seek shade where possible and drink plenty of water.
Thousands of holiday-makers in the regions will see temperatures soar further on Monday, reaching up to 41 degrees at Murray Bridge, 44 at Waikerie, and up to 44 at Renmark.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/weather-news-south-australia-heatwave-long-weekend-adelaide-tour-down-under-final-stage/d369fdd0-bdf3-4175-bac8-ebad390df0d4

[Mark]

https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-weather-residents-told-to-prepare-to-leave/44a37d5c-90fd-4368-92aa-fbe68355d73c
After more than 24 hours of unrelenting rain in Townsville and areas further north, evacuation orders are in place for a number of residents, as a flood emergency unfolds.
More evactuation centres have opened in Townsville overnight as the evacuation zone widens.
Residents in Cluden, Hermit Park, Idalia, Oonoonba, Railway Estate and Rosslea have been asked to "leave as soon as you can" by Townsville Local Disaster Management Group Chair Andrew Robinson.
CHECK THE LATEST WARNINGS: https://disaster.townsville.qld.gov.au/
Townsville
After more than 24 hours of unrelenting rain in Townsville and areas further north, residents are being told to prepare to leave. (Nine)
Townsville flood evacuation zones map @ midnight local time Feb 2
Residents in Cluden, Hermit Park, Idalia, Oonoonba, Railway Estate and Rosslea have been asked to "leave as soon as you can" (Townsville City Council)
"Residents in the black zone must evacuate by 12 noon tomorrow," Cr Robinson said.
"Prepare your home and yourself. Move important documents and items to high areas, or take them with you. Make sure you have enough clothes and medication for at least three days.
"Do not stay in your home. If you do not have a safe place to go to, make your way to an evacuation centre before 12 noon."

[Mark]

Another round of extremely heavy rainfall totals is expected in parts of northern Queensland, just days after some areas experienced some of their heaviest rainfall on record.


In a deluge earlier this week that was rarer than a one-in-2000 year event, numerous locations between Townsville and Cairns received around 1500 millimetres of rain within three days, resulting in major flooding, widespread evacuations, and two flood-related deaths.


Now a new burst of heavy rain is setting in over the same area again, and while totals won’t be as phenomenally huge as last week, extremely heavy falls with flooding are still expected:


The BoM is predicting six-hourly rainfall rates of 140 to 200mm this weekend.
24-hour totals are likely to exceed 200mm in places.
In total, we could see more than 500mm in some areas in the next three days.
https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/yet-another-deluge-for-floodweary-north-queensland/1890349

[Mark]

An unseasonably cold air mass will hit southeastern Australia this weekend, causing summer snow to settle in parts of Tasmania.


The satellite images below show a huge area of speckled cloud to the south of Australia on Friday. This cloud pattern, which is more commonly seen in winter than summer, reveals that a cold air mass is moving from the Southern Ocean towards Australia.


 


Image: Visible satellite image showing speckled cloud to the south of Australia on Friday.


The frigid air was already starting to spread over parts of southern Australia on Friday, although the coldest air will arrive this weekend as a winter-like southerly airstream becomes stablished between a high pressure system centred over the Bight and a low over the Tasman Sea.


Temperatures should get cold enough in Tasmania for snow to fall in elevated areas of the state this weekend. Snow will most likely be confined to areas above about 1000m elevation in central, southern and western Tasmania.
https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/summer-snow-in-tasmania-this-weekend/1890369

[Mark]

Tropical Cyclone Zelia will "still pack a punch" as it moves across Western Australia and slowly weakens.
At midday yesterday (3pm AEDT) the centre of the system was about 65 kilometres to the north-east of Port Hedland and moving south-east about 11km/h.
But just half an hour later it made landfall near the De Grey River mouth, 54 kilometres north-east of Port Hedland, as a category 4 storm.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/tropical-cyclone-zelia-updates-to-cross-coast-category-five-storm-western-australia/971a7f5f-4646-4571-838f-3113aca6b82b