31/08/2009: If Sydneysiders thought that winter finished early this year, they would be right – the city has just experienced its mildest August days in 14 years.

The city had an average maximum of 21 degrees, well above the long term normal of 18. This made it the mildest August in terms of daytime temperatures since 1995. In fact, on the 16th and then again on the 29th, the city hit 26 degrees, the warmest August days in two years.

The unseasonal weather was not just restricted to Sydney, either. For example, Glen Innes, on the Northern Tablelands, had an average maximum of 19 degrees, its highest for August in 94 years of records.

"Heat has been building over the interior in recent weeks. When we had a couple of bursts of westerly winds, this heat was dragged down towards New South Wales, leading to weather more typical of summer than winter," weatherzone.com.au meteorologist Matt Pearce said.

The nights were also mild. Sydney had an average minimum of 10 degrees, slightly above the long term normal of nine. This made it the mildest August in terms of overnight temperatures since 2007. In fact, on the morning of the 24th, the temperature in the city did not fall below 17 degrees, making it the mildest August night in two years.

Once again, the warmth was not just restricted to Sydney. For example, Hay, in the Riverina, had an average minimum of seven degrees, its highest for August in 128 years of records.

When both daytime and overnight temperatures were combined, Sydney’s average temperature for August came in at 16 degrees, well above the long term normal of 13. This made it the mildest August since 2007.

It was also a very dry month. Sydney picked up just six millimetres, significantly below the long term normal of 82mm. This made it the driest August since 2005.

The dry trend was repeated across the state. Alstonville, on the far north coast, received just one millimetre, its lowest total for August in 46 years of records.

"There was a complete lack of significant rain-bearing systems to affect New South Wales during August. Cold fronts tended to remain well south of the state, leading to low rainfall west of the Divide, and there were no east coast lows, which can sometimes bring widespread rain to the coast at this time of year," Pearce said.

"We are expecting the very warm weather to continue across New South Wales through spring. An El Nino pattern is now in place, and these typically lead to above average temperatures and below average rainfall across eastern Australia during spring."

Media Inquiries:

Matt Pearce
media@weatherzone.com.au
02 9965 9236

About Weatherzone:

Weatherzone is Australia's most popular commercial meteorological resource, supplying weather information to most of Australia's major television broadcasters and websites. www.weatherzone.com.au has been developed by a team of world class meteorologists and features user friendly, up-to-the minute access to weather across the country.