Sydney drops to a ‘feels like’ below zero; skifields prepare for long weekend influx

Sydney dropped to ‘feels like’ temperatures below freezing on Thursday as high winds whip through the city. How cold is it going to get?

Thredbo ski resort has been busily making snow in preparation for the long weekend influx. Picture: Justine Fisher

Sydneysiders shivered through Thursday morning as parts of the city dropped to subzero ‘feels like’ temperatures following the year’s coldest day.

Winds and an approaching cold front are to blame for the early winter chill – at 6.30am the Bureau of Meteorology station at Observatory Hill recorded a ‘feels like’ of 0.9C while the minimum actual temperature across greater Sydney was 5C.

A welcome burst of sunshine later in the day will bring temperatures up to 17C in the city, Liverpool, Bondi, Parramatta and Richmond; 16C in Terrey Hills and 18C in Penrith and Campbelltown.

Marine enthusiasts are in for disappointment as the Bureau and marine police’s hazardous surf warning persists; they advise against surfing, rock fishing, and swimming due to rough seas along the Byron, Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Sydney and Illawarra coasts.

In Canberra and southern NSW temperatures are forecast to be “well and truly in the negatives” according to meteorologist Angus Hines, with “widespread frost” in many parts of the state except for coastal areas.

Wagga Wagga and Albury will experience subzero lows of -3C and -2C, while Broken Hill and Dubbo will all feel the chill with lows of 1C. Western towns will enjoy a top temperature of 14C and mostly sunny skies.

Snowfall should happen on Friday, when two cold fronts are due to converge, lasting until Tuesday – but the skifields have kept busy creating snow in preparation for the long weekend influx of tourists.

Graziers are warned to watch their lambs and sheep throughout Thursday and Friday as the strong winds and cold temperatures put vulnerable livestock at risk.

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Originally published as Sydney drops to a ‘feels like’ below zero; skifields prepare for long weekend influx