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Record Heat: Sydney Tops 20C Ten Days Straight
16 Jun
Summary
- Sydney experienced ten consecutive days above 20C in June, a feat unseen since 1919.
- Unusual high pressure over the Tasman Sea pulled warmer air from the north.
- Similar warm weather patterns are affecting other major Australian cities.
Sydney has recorded ten consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 20C in June, surpassing a record that had stood since 1919. This prolonged warm spell, with daily highs significantly above the usual average for the first month of winter, has surprised meteorologists. Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson Casey McCarthy noted the unusual duration of the heatwave.
The phenomenon is linked to a high-pressure system over the Tasman Sea, which drew warmer air from the north and deflected cooler fronts. Slightly warmer sea surface temperatures along the New South Wales coast also contributed to the unseasonably warm conditions. Climate scientist Professor Andy Pitman suggests this persistent record-breaking heat is indicative of global warming.
This unusual warmth is not confined to Sydney, with Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Hobart also experiencing extended periods of unseasonably high temperatures. Ski fields in the region remain notably bare, highlighting the widespread nature of this warm pattern. The Bureau of Meteorology anticipates a warmer and drier winter for much of southeastern Australia.
