Darwin has experienced its coldest June on record and coldest month in 46 years, according to weatherzone.com.au. Combining daytime and nighttime temperatures, the city averaged just 22.5 degrees, a whopping two-and-half degrees colder than the long-term average and three degrees colder than June last year. The previous coldest June was in 1949 when the average was 22.7. The only other colder month was in July 1965, when the average was 22.5. Nights have been the clincher, the coldest on record for June. Overnight minimums averaged 16.1 degrees, almost four degrees colder than the long-term norm of 19.9. The previous June record for low minimums was 16.8, in 1949. There was only one colder month in the last 71 years, in July 1965, when the average was 15.8. Days were the second coldest on record, for any month. On average, maximums were one-and-a half degrees colder than the long-term norm, 29 degrees, compared to 30.6. The previous record was in June 1949, when the average was 28.7. The chill has been prolonged because of persistent southeasterly winds, which have kept the air so dry. The cold June comes after a record cold May, so it's been a shock start to the dry season.