Press Release

Sydney bakes under record November heat

30/11/2009: Sydney has had its hottest November in 150 years, according to weatherzone.com.au, continuing the recent trend in heat over much of southeastern Australia.

This November the harbour-side city had an average maximum temperature of 26 degrees, a feat not seen in 52 years. Not only that, but overnight temperatures have been sweltering, with an average of 19, three above the November norm, the warmest since records began. Sydney also managed to record a 40 degree day, something that hasn’t occurred since 1982.

“This kind of extreme heat is very unusual for this time of year,” said weatherzone.com.au meteorologist Sam Terry. “Not only has the heat been prolonged, but the air overnight has been quite humid as well, usually getting to around 90 percent humidity, making sleeping uncomfortable.”

Further afield, the rest of New South Wales has been no stranger to hot weather either. Many places both inland and on the coast have experienced their most blisteringly hot November on record. This has been particularly true west of the ranges. Such towns include Tamworth, going back at least ten years, and Wagga Wagga, going back at least 67 years.

“During spring it is still normal for systems such as cold fronts to push into NSW, flushing out any hot interior air,” said Terry. “This year such events have been in very short supply, meaning that the hot interior air has been able to reach the coast much more frequently."

The hot November has also been a dry one for parts of the state, including Sydney and surrounds. Penrith only received 9 mm, well shy of the average monthly total of 79mm, making it Penrith’s driest November in at least 14 years. The city too had a rainfall deficit, collecting just 13mm, the driest November in 45 years.

Media Inquiries:

Samuel Terry
media@weatherzone.com.au
02 9965 9236

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