Tuesday 25th August 2009

Media Release

Summer days in winter continue to break more records in NSW

As the heat continued yesterday in northern parts of NSW more records were broken, says the Bureau of Meteorology.

Temperatures peaked on Monday with 37.8 ºC recorded at Mungindi Post Office. “This is the highest temperature recorded anywhere in NSW in winter beating the previous record of 36.3 ºC at Mungindi Post Office yesterday and 36.1 ºC from Yamba in 1946” said Ms Imielska, climatologist from the NSW Bureau Regional Office.

“Many more records were broken across northern NSW yesterday following record high temperatures on Sunday” says Ms Imielska.

“NSW experienced a record breaking heatwave during the past summer and this is now followed by record breaking temperatures in winter” added Ms Imielska.

In contrast to the unseasonal heat in the north of the state, a series of fronts are passing across the southern half of NSW causing gale force winds. The highest wind gust of 126 km/h was recorded at Cabramurra with many other locations including Mt Ginini, Wagga Wagga and Kiama recording over 100 km/h gusts early on Tuesday morning. Sydney recorded wind gusts of up to 89 km/h on Tuesday morning. 

The seasonal climate outlook for spring favours warmer than normal days and nights across most of Australia with a higher likelihood of conditions being experienced in northern NSW. This is a result of recent warm conditions in the Indian Ocean as well as the warming in the Pacific.

Useful Links:

• Forecast for NSW districts
• NSW and ACT Warnings
• Seasonal Climate Outlook
• Climate Averages
• Media Release Monday 24th August 2009

For further information contact:
Agata Imielska or Shannon Symons
NSW Climate Services Centre
(02) 9296 1555                   
climate.nsw@bom.gov.au