Press Release

Quirky times in hot and cold Sydney

03/03/2011: It's been 53 years since Sydney has had a day as cool as yesterday flanked by two 30-degree days, according to weatherzone.com.au.

Today Sydney warmed past 31 degrees, just a day after only reaching 22 and just two days after heating to 34 degrees.

The last time there was so much variation in temperature was in 1957. In that year, the last day of November brought a maximum of 38 degrees before cooling to 22 on the following day before scorching in 38-degree heat again the next day.

"The current topsy-turvy spell was brought about by some heat which was interrupted by a cool change that only skimmed the coast. The change had little effect on inland New South Wales, where heat was allowed to linger and then come across Sydney again in westerly winds," Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutschke said.

"The timing of the change was also critical. If it arrived earlier on Tuesday afternoon it would have allowed Wednesday to become sunnier in the afternoon, hence a little warmer than 22," Dutschke said.

Just two summers ago there was a three day sequence of 31, 24 and 33-degree maximums.

"Looking ahead, cooler onshore winds are taking over which will be a feature from tomorrow to mid-next week, holding daytime maximums in the mid 20s. Onshore winds will bring cloud and a few showers, but we're not looking at much in the way of rain, less than about 15mm over the weekend."

It's been a fairly dry year so far, only 72mm, about 150mm behind the long-term average to this date.

Media Inquiries:

Brett Dutschke
media@weatherzone.com.au
02 9965 9269

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