Alice Springs to potentially see below 0C temps in coming days, the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts, with Darwin to record warmer mornings

It’s beginning to feel a lot like the Dry Season in the Northern Territory, as the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts sub-zero temperatures in the Red Centre despite slightly warmer mornings in Darwin. Read the details.

It’s beginning to feel a lot like the Dry Season in the Northern Territory. Picture: iStock

It’s beginning to feel a lot like the Dry Season in the Northern Territory, as the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts sub-zero temperatures in the Red Centre despite slightly warmer mornings in Darwin.

The average minimum temperature for the past three mornings — May 17-19 — at the Darwin Airport was 19.2C, according to the Bureau, with a low of 17.4C recorded Monday - and an apparent temperature of 14.6C.

Further south at the Alice Springs Airport, average temperatures of 4.1C were felt across the same three-day period, with a low of 2.5C recorded on Monday.

“It was the coldest morning since winter last year for these two sites,” a Bureau spokesman said.

West MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov Generic

According to the Bureau’s seven-day forecast, cooler than average mornings for Darwin will ease tomorrow, with minimums back to 21C or above for the rest of the week.

As for Alice Springs, the Bureau forecasts an even colder morning on Tuesday, with minimum temperatures expected to go as low as 0C to -1C.

These cooler than average mornings — minimums of 5C or less — will continue in Alice Springs for most of the week until about May 25, the Bureau says.

“The long-range forecast indicates that the difference from average minimum temperatures is likely to be minimal for both Darwin and Alice Springs for the fortnight of May 23 – June 5,” the spokesman said.

“Climatologically, in terms of monthly averages, the average minimum temperature decreases until July.”

Mindil Beach Sunset Market reopened for the Dry Season earlier in the year. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

As of May 18, the current month-to-date average minimum temperature is 23.0C for Darwin Airport, 0.8C above the long-term average for the site.

At Alice Springs Airport, the current month-to-date average minimum temperature is 7.7C for Alice Springs Airport, 0.4C below the long-term average for the site.

“These minimum temperature anomalies are not particularly unusual,” the spokesman said.

“The month-to-date average maximum temperature has been above average at Alice Springs Airport, about 2.0C above the long-term average for the site.”

Originally published as Alice Springs to potentially see below 0C temps in coming days, the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts, with Darwin to record warmer mornings