Australian Weather

[Kiwi]

Sydney CBD (Observatory Hill) has had its hottest day on record. So far today it has peaked at 45.8ºC, surpassing the previous record of 45.3ºC on Jan 14th 1939. Observatory Hill has been recording temperatures since 1859, and is one of the longest running weather sites in Australia.

The highest temperature so far today has been 46.5ºC at Penrith in Sydney's western suburbs.

Wow! Is the weather forecast to cool down any time soon? Is this just affecting Nsw or is it more widespread?

Those temps are hard to imagine, with half of netweather here in the UK sat up in the early hours as snow sweeps across the country.

Edited January 18, 2013 by Kiwi

[NorthNSW]

Wow! Is the weather forecast to cool down any time soon? Is this just affecting Nsw or is it more widespread?

Those temps are hard to imagine, with half of netweather here in the UK sat up in the early hours as snow sweeps across the country.

A sea breeze has cooled the temps about the coastal fringe into the mid 30s. It is still in the 40s away from the coastal fringe. True relief will come this evening as that front brings a southerly change. Sydney is expected to reach 25ºC tomorrow (basically average for Jan).

The hot temps affected Adelaide and Melbourne yesterday, and have moved on to affect Sydney and Canberra today. The heat today has affected most of NSW (except here in the north east of the state), the ACT, and also northeastern SA and southwestern QLD.

Here's the synoptic map for 11am today, you can see the approaching front and associated trough with a high in the Tasman Sea helping channel hot temps from the interior onto the coast:

The monsoon is expected to develop over the weekend (a rather late onset for the monsoon), which is expected to end the run of very hot temperatures (which on occasion have spilled onto the coast), as cloud will increase over the interior and moisture levels will start to increase too.

Edited January 18, 2013 by NorthNSW

[Upgrade]

Yes, it reached 40.8 degrees yesterday in Melbourne, and was still over 30 degrees at 4am this morning - Now back to 21 degrees this afternoon!

The Sydney temperatures today are completely bonkers though, nearer 50 than 40 - phew!

Edited January 18, 2013 by Upgrade

[Styx]

The monsoon is expected to develop over the weekend (a rather late onset for the monsoon), which is expected to end the run of very hot temperatures (which on occasion have spilled onto the coast), as cloud will increase over the interior and moisture levels will start to increase too.

This surprises me a little bit because the heat mass is so expansive. Is it really possible that a normal monsoon influx could return things to near normality so quickly? I would have thought, and there is always a good chance I am wrong so I am just having a bit of speculation, that the prospect for very hot and near record temperatures will continue even thru February, until most of the interior gets a proper good bucketing or many many days of extensive cloud cover?

------------

Well, that Sydney maximum was extraordinary yesterday! They have 160 years of weather records there so to break the record by 0.5 is a standout feat.

Worth noting too that Canberra recorded its hottest January temperature at 41.6 - 0.2 up on the previous high. The all time high is 42.2 in February.

We now have Hobart, Sydney and Canberra with records this month!

I think the next round of records to look out for will be low January rainfall totals, especially in the south east.

Hobart has 2mm so far for the month ( Mean 47mm ). December 1 to present day, we have 24mm.

Bushfires

First casualty reported in the state of Victoria. Man tries to flee in his car at the last minute. Big no no.

Close to 250 homes destroyed this season in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales ( 165 of those in Tasmania ). Seriously, based on the weather we have seen over the past 3 weeks, it is truly amazing that things have not been worse.

Edited January 19, 2013 by Styx

[NorthNSW]

This surprises me a little bit because the heat mass is so expansive. Is it really possible that a normal monsoon influx could return things to near normality so quickly? I would have thought, and there is always a good chance I am wrong so I am just having a bit of speculation, that the prospect for very hot and near record temperatures will continue even thru February, until most of the interior gets a proper good bucketing or many many days of extensive cloud cover?

The build-up of heat from now on will be intermittently interrupted by monsoonal cloud / moisture increasingly creeping on occasion into the interior. It's the little things that can make the difference between temps in the high 40s across the interior and temps in the low to mid 40s instead. But as you say, the first rain event to move through that area will really put a dampener on heat buildup.

There will still be hot temperatures across the interior (as per normal), but it would be unlikely to see similar conditions to the past few weeks.

Edited January 19, 2013 by NorthNSW

[AderynCoch]

I think the next round of records to look out for will be low January rainfall totals, especially in the south east.

Hobart has 2mm so far for the month ( Mean 47mm ). December 1 to present day, we have 24mm.

2.2mm so far in Brisbane. The January average is 159.6mm.

[paul tall]

Yes, it reached 40.8 degrees yesterday in Melbourne, and was still over 30 degrees at 4am this morning - Now back to 21 degrees this afternoon!

What an insane place Melbourne really is!

[NorthNSW]

Summary here over the past week (Date/Min/Max/MaxWindGustDirectionSpeed&Time/24hrRainfall):

Jan 13th - 22.4ºC/29.3ºC - WSW 54km/h @ 9:33pm - 2.0mm

Jan 14th - 20.5ºC/21.5ºC - SSW 57km/h @ 2:50am - 14.0mm

Jan 15th - 17.6ºC/25.0ºC - SW 31km/h @ 11:27pm - 0.2mm

Jan 16th - 17.0ºC/27.6ºC - NE 44km/h @ 12:35pm - Nil

Jan 17th - 19.4ºC/27.7ºC - NNE 56km/h @ 2:01pm - Nil

Jan 18th - 21.4ºC/30.3ºC - NE 63km/h @ 4:06pm - Nil

Jan 19th - 22.6ºC/27.1ºC - S 46km/h @ 2:40pm - 1.8mm

Past week:

An area of storms moved through the region during the evening of the 13th as a trough moved through, with frequent lightning and heavy rain occurring in the main area of storms. That area of storms missed here by a little, and we got a weak t'storm with light rain and a few flashes instead. The 14th was a cool day for this time of year, not record-breaking, but very much below normal for January. Drizzle and light showers brought a bit of welcome rain that day. Some drizzle developed late on the 19th as winds turned southerly.

Midday images for past week + image of week:

This week (Jan 20th to Jan 26th):

A trough is expected to sit across western to central NSW for the whole week. There's been a little drizzle so far today, with the risk of showers remaining into this evening. Slight to moderate chance of a shower on each day ahead this week, but nothing concrete unfortunately. There are signs that the trough could start to move eastwards on Saturday. Beyond this week, it remains to seen what the trough may do once it encounters better moisture in eastern NSW and/or if it can tap into tropical moisture from northern QLD.

Forecast max temps for this week: 26 / 28 / 29 / 29 / 27 / 28 / 29

Edited January 20, 2013 by NorthNSW

[NorthNSW]

Looks like some interesting weather approaching here on the northern coast of NSW. The long spell of unusually dry weather appears as though it could end rather abruptly courtesy of a tropical low (Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald).

This afternoon a Flood Watch and Significant Weather Media Release have been issued, which includes my local area:

Flood Watch:

FLOOD WATCH FOR THE NSW COAST FROM THE QUEENSLAND BORDER TO PORT MACQUARIE FROM SUNDAY ONWARDS

Issued at 3:15 pm EDT on Thursday 24 January 2013

Note: This Flood Watch is a "heads up" for possible future flooding and is NOT a Flood Warning [see note below].

A tropical low on the northern Queensland coast is expected to move south over the next several days and bring widespread rain to the northern NSW coast later in the long weekend. Heavy rain is forecast for the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast for Sunday and Monday.

At this stage there is a greater than 75% chance that minor to moderate flooding as well as local flash flooding will develop along the coastal river valleys from the Queensland Border to Port Macquarie from Sunday onwards.

This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and streams must monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding develop. Flood Warnings will be issued if Minor Flood Level is expected to be exceeded at key sites along the main rivers for which the Bureau of Meteorology provides a flood warning service. Across NSW, about 75% of Flood Watches are followed by flooding.

Significant Weather Media Release:

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

New South Wales

Significant Weather Media Release

Issued at 3:21 pm EDT on Thursday 24 January 2013.

Heavy rainfall likely along northern NSW coast

A tropical low on the Queensland coast (ex Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald) is expected to move southward and bring widespread heavy rain to the northern NSW coast later in the long weekend.

NSW Regional Director Mr Barry Hanstrum said "The heavy rain is forecast for the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and eastern parts of the Northern Tablelands weather districts on Sunday and Monday and a flood watch has been issued.

"Gale force winds and damaging surf are also possible," he added.

Conditions could be hazardous for holiday-makers and people travelling home for the start of the school year.

NSW SES Commissioner Murray Kear has urged holiday-makers to be mindful of the weather when travelling this long weekend.

"People intending to travel to these areas should keep updated on weather information and have an emergency plan ready in the event of severe weather. Rivers, creeks and streams can rise quickly during storms so it's important, particularly for campers, to be aware of the conditions and move to higher ground if bad weather sets in," he said.

"If you come across a flooded road on your travels, don't drive through it because you are not only risking your life and the lives of your family but our volunteers who have to come and rescue you. If you need emergency help in a flood or storm call the NSW SES on 132 500 but if your situation is life-threatening call 000," Commissioner Kear added.

Forecast Synoptic Charts for Saturday, Sunday and Monday:

[AderynCoch]

First proper wet day here in Brisbane since I arrived two and a half weeks ago. Looks like the very dry January is about to get a lot less dry.

[NorthNSW]

Summary here over the past week (Date/Min/Max/MaxWindGustDirectionSpeed&Time/24hrRainfall):

Jan 20th - 21.0ºC/23.0ºC - SW 35km/h @ 11:02pm - 2.6mm

Jan 21st - 20.2ºC/25.9ºC - WSW 35km/h @ 7:31am - 2.8mm

Jan 22nd - 20.0ºC/28.5ºC - NE 50km/h @ 2:35pm - Nil

Jan 23rd - 21.5ºC/28.4ºC - NE 33km/h @ 11:17am - 44.0mm

Jan 24th - 20.5ºC/28.5ºC - S 35kmk/h @ 10:50am - 12.6mm

Jan 25th - 20.9ºC/29.0ºC - NE 33km/h @ 10:35pm - 9.4mm

Jan 26th - 20.9ºC/28.9ºC - NE 48km/h @ 7:39pm - 44.6mm

Past week:

Well this week certainly changed once Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald decided to move down the QLD coast instead of tracking through western/outback QLD!!! A trough developed just offshore the coast during the 23rd, allowing for unstable conditions near the coastline thanks to moist onshore winds, bringing a few showers and a storm in the afternoon/evening (with 20mm falling in 10 minutes). The trough weakened on the 24th, but still strong enough to produce a storm late that evening. Moist northeasterlies started affecting us here from Oswald on the 25th, and especially on the 26th as it started moving into southeastern QLD brought showers and rain at times.

Webcam images from midday for past week, and the bottom right image showing a heavy shower moving ashore:

This week (Jan 27th to Feb 2nd):

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald should continue to bring rain, tending moderate to heavy at times, through today and easing tomorrow afternoon or early evening (we've already had 34.4mm here in the past two hours). The ex-cyclone should move south of here during tomorrow afternoon, allowing for most of the rain to clear. A trough is expected to linger after the low clears but whether it remains on land or offshore will determine how much rain sticks about, but a few showers continuing until Thursday/Friday looks somewhat likely.

A flood watch is out for the local river (the Macleay River) with the Bureau advising of the potential for moderate to major flooding (if forecast rain amounts come to fruition), so far most of the rain has stuck to the coast though. A severe weather warning has been issued for heavy rain and damaging surf. At this stage, we are not being warned for damaging winds but adjacent districts to the north are being warned of wind gusts up to 110km/h. However, there is a coastal waters warning for winds increasing up to 'Storm force' 50 knots (93km/h) tomorrow morning.

There have been several confirmed reports of tornadoes in northern parts of Southeastern QLD (mainly around the Bundaberg / Fraser Coast).

Forecast max temps here for today and the next 6 days: 24 / 25 / 27 / 27 / 29 / 31 / 26

Edited January 27, 2013 by NorthNSW

[AderynCoch]

A very unpleasant day here today: strong winds and unremitting torrential rain. There has been a tornado outbreak around Bundaberg, with one fatality confirmed so far (EDIT - caused by flooding not tornadoes).

It's been raining with very little respite for 3-4 days now. Flood warnings are out in force.

Edited January 27, 2013 by AderynCoch

[AderynCoch]

119.4mm recorded in the last 14 hours, and 225.4mm in the last three days. So much for that exceptionally dry January.

The Brisbane River is expected to flood through Monday and Tuesday with a crest of 2.6 metres, two metres below the January 2011 floods. Some parts of the city have already been flooded by creeks bursting their banks.

We're also on tornado alert.

[tinybill]

been talking to some Friends on face book in Ipswich Australia saying its very wet and windy there at the moment

[NorthNSW]

Latest Severe Weather warning (issued a short time ago). South West Rocks is in the Mid North Coast district. I have never seen a Severe Weather Warning that warns for wind gusts up to 140km/h here! There is a fresh to strong wind at present, but the Bureau must be expecting winds to increase substantially during this morning as the low moves into NSW.

Severe Weather Warning

for destructive winds, damaging winds, heavy rain, abnormally high tides and damaging surf

for people in the Metropolitan, Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter, Northern Tablelands, Illawarra and Central Tablelands forecast districts

Issued at 5:20 am EDT on Monday 28 January 2013.

VERY HEAVY RAIN, DAMAGING WINDS AND SURF OVER NORTHEASTERN NSW.

Weather Situation

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald currently located over southern Queensland is moving slowly southwards. It is forecast to move into northern NSW later this morning then move rapidly south-southeastwards. This system has produced widespread persistent rain over northeastern NSW over the last couple of days. The rain, along with the wind, will increase in intensity today as the low approaches before gradually easing in its wake.

Very heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding is falling in the Northern Rivers, Northern Tablelands and the Mid North Coast forecast districts. The heavy rain is forecast to extend into the Hunter, Metropolitan, Central Tablelands and Illawarra forecast districts during the day.

Destructive winds with peak gusts of 140 km/h are forecast over parts of the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast today. Damaging winds around 60 km/h with peak gusts of 100 km/h are forecast for the Northern Tablelands this morning, extending to coastal parts of the Hunter this afternoon, then the Metropolitan and Illawarra this evening and overnight. The wind is expected to gradually ease in the Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands forecast districts this afternoon and evening.

Abnormally high tides which may cause sea water flooding of low lying areas and very heavy surf which may lead to localised damage and coastal erosion are forecast for the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast this morning, the Hunter and Metropolitan forecast districts later today and the Illawarra overnight. Beach conditions in these areas will be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas.

Since 9am Sunday 488 mm has been recorded at Hopkins Creek (near Mullumbimby), 200 mm in Coffs Harbour and 160 mm in Comboyne. Flood warnings have been issued for several rivers in eastern NSW.

[ANYWEATHER]

A very unpleasant day here today: strong winds and unremitting torrential rain. There has been a tornado outbreak around Bundaberg, with one fatality confirmed so far (EDIT - caused by flooding not tornadoes).

It's been raining with very little respite for 3-4 days now. Flood warnings are out in force.

join the club!!!

[Coast]

[AderynCoch]

Bundaberg is also facing the brunt of Queensland's floods. The Burnett River there has reached record levels.

Some pictures here from this afternoon:

Edited January 28, 2013 by AderynCoch

[oldrich1986]

It's a big country you could see snow and go skiing in winter check out Falls Creek if snow skiing is your thing most of Australia is pretty warm beach weather , fishing is a big pas time in some places as is golf there's plenty of night life , restaurants, casinos pubs to check out or national parks and wild life to see. You need to decide what you want to do on your holiday it will determine where abouts you go.

[Styx]

It is interesting to see the main commerical TV networks in Australia go to live uninterrupted coverage for hours on end over recent days. Much normal programming has been suspended. With programming centralised from Sydney or Melbourne these days...this blanket coverage is nationwide - except in the west. Feels odd watching weather drama unfold hundreds of miles away in an Australian emergency context from quiet little Tasmania ( early January bushfires aside ).

Not sure why this is being done. Began in earnest only in 2011 ( Cyclone Yasi + Qld floods ).

Possibly to recapture an audience that has left for social media outlets? Overdramatisation for ratings during the off peak summer season? Or genuine emergency broadcasting strategy with government, to create the urgency for pre-emptive action? ( a good idea ).

[NorthNSW]

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald moved past here very late last night, allowing for rain to ease. A trough connected to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald passed over us early this evening (with a few showers firing ahead of it in weak instability), marking the end of his influence over the area. At present, the low is in the western Tasman Sea off the east coast of Tasmania, moving quickly southwards into the Southern Ocean where it will weaken once it gets to about 50ºS and dissipate fast.

344.0mm has fallen here in the past six days, with 147.2mm falling yesterday. The Macleay River is peaking with minor flooding tonight. We were lucky that the heavy falls yesterday were restricted to within about 30kms of the coast about the lower catchment, with lighter falls in the mid and upper catchment area. We would have otherwise seen at least moderate flooding, potentially major flooding, if the heavy rain had fell on the ranges yesterday.

The wind wasn't as bad as forecast here. The strongest gusts were during last night within about one kilometre of the coastline and on elevated terrain. There was some small to medium branches snapped off and a couple of trees down around town within a kilometre of the coast. It suggests winds were stronger than the reported 65km/h max gusts, realistically closer to 80km/h if the Beaufort Scale is any guide.

The surf is up, has increased to around 3.5 to 4 metres and become more powerful. Surf will ease off by Friday.

Footage of the one of the tornadoes in the Bundaberg region at Bargara:

Record flooding in Bundaberg:

Here in Northern NSW:

Record high flooding at Grafton on the Clarence River (about 140kms to the north of here):

and

Sea-foam at Port Macquarie (about 60kms south of here):

[Styx]

January rainfall 2013

Ex-TC Oswald took care of the rainfall defiency on the eastern seaboard which up until that time had been almost as dry as the south east.

[AderynCoch]

I'm assuming those maps have been released "early" (it's still the 31st) because the rainfall cut-off was at 9am this morning. Until 5pm today Melbourne had recorded 8.0mm of rain in January, but has received 25.8mm this evening thanks to a biblical downpour (which I got caught in).

Looks like I've taken the weather with me from Queensland. Crowded House would be pleased.

Edited January 31, 2013 by AderynCoch

[Styx]

I'm assuming those maps have been released "early" (it's still the 31st) because the rainfall cut-off was at 9am this morning. Until 5pm today Melbourne had recorded 8.0mm of rain in January, but has received 25.8mm this evening thanks to a biblical downpour (which I got caught in).

Looks like I've taken the weather with me from Queensland. Crowded House would be pleased.

The maps were released during the afternoon of the 31st, so they are the official ones for the month.

The temperature maps for January should be released this afternoon. Looking forward to seeing those.

I hope you enjoy Melbourne - great place, more especially the inner suburbs with their unique character.

Edited January 31, 2013 by Styx

[NorthNSW]

Summary here over the past week (Date/Min/Max/MaxWindGustDirectionSpeed&Time/24hrRainfall):

Jan 27th - 22.2ºC/23.3ºC - NNE 61km/h @ 11:40am - 77.8mm

Jan 28th - 20.9ºC/23.3ºC - NNE 65km/h @ 6:41pm - 147.2mm

Jan 29th - 20.3ºC/28.2ºC - NNE 63km/h @ 1:06am - 8.4mm

Jan 30th - 21.5ºC/26.4ºC - SSW 35km/h @ 11:43pm - Nil

Jan 31st - 19.9ºC/27.3ºC - NNE 41km/h @ 4:49pm - Nil

Feb 1st - 22.0ºC/27.8ºC - NNE 59km/h @ 2:30pm - 26.0mm

Feb 2nd - 18.5ºC/25.4ºC - S 72km/h @ 5:01pm - Nil

Past week:

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald brought heavy rain during the 27th and 28th, with a lingering trough connected to the system bringing a few showers during the afternoon of the 29th.

On the 1st a trough moved into northern NSW, and triggered the development of a squall line with some storms also forming ahead of the line. We were hit by a bow echo (http://en.wikipedia...._echo#Formation) along the squall line just after 8:30pm, with a severe downburst of wind with peak gusts around 90-100km/h. The rain was heavy and I can best describe it as a washing machine outside. Frequent lightning flashes, although not too many cloud-to-ground strikes. My rain gauge was blown off, damaged and beyond repair (had to use nearby BOM rainfall station obs instead). Only discovered this today when my parents moved the other car off the street, that a large twiggy "branch" from a gum (about 1.5m long, and a span of metre wide with it's little twiggy leafy arms, the main "branch" of it about 4cm thick) had lodged itself firmly underneath the car. Plenty of leaf litter sprayed about, alot of twigs, fair amount of those twiggy "branches" as described above, some larger branches (including one on the main thoroughfare about 6 metres long) and several smaller trees down. Council was already in by morning starting the cleanup and I largely took the main streets on my quick drive, so I may have missed other things. The storm was not as potent at Coffs where the max wind obs come from, which had max gusts in the mid 50s from the SW during the storm there. A low developed off the coast to the south on the 2nd causing strong, cooler and relatively dry southerlies to develop (dry air making temp felt cooler than it was). The low moved further out into the Tasman overnight.

Radar image of bow echo storm in squall line at 9:05pm. My location is marked as a small black dot behind Smoky Cape:

Midday webcam images for week + Storm approaching on Feb 1st (not the same one that hit here):

This week (Feb 3rd to Feb 9th):

Most of this week will feel more autumnal than summer-like. Last night was a rather cool 15.7ºC! A low in the Tasman Sea will continue to move towards New Zealand. A high will move into the Tasman tomorrow, and start directing onshore winds onto the coast. There should be a shower or two develop tomorrow, and persist into Tuesday. Chance of a light shower on Wednesday. A ridge of high pressure should move in on Thursday bringing fine conditions through Friday and Saturday too. A trough should approach towards the eastern half on the state on Saturday, but isn't expected to have an affect on here aside from bringing warmer temps that day.

Forecast max temps for the next 6 days (Tomorrow to Sat): 25 / 24 / 24 / 25 / 27 / 29