Records melt across country as capitals experience weeks of unseasonably warm weather
RECORDS have melted across Australia as capital cities cop weeks of unseasonably warm weather. Will winter ever arrive?
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COSY blankets and jumpers have remained in the wardrobe for much of May — and southeast Australia should prepare for a warmer-than-average winter.
Records have melted across our capital cities as much of the nation enjoys an unseasonably warm month.
The sun continues to shine on New South Wales, where Sydneysiders have experienced a run of 16 days above 22C, which is unheard of for May.
The May mean maximum temperature is 23.3C — 3.9C above what Sydney usually experiences at this time of year.
Melbourne has also been making the most of higher-than-usual temperatures, enjoying 13 days of 20C or above from May 11 to 23, beating the previous longest run of 10 days, set in 1972.
The 2014 May mean of 19.4C is 2.7C higher than usual.
Records have also tumbled in Adelaide with 16 days of 20C or above.
Bureau of Meteorology climatologist Blair Trewin said what was remarkable was how persistent the high temperatures have been.
“The real standout is just how long the warm weather has gone on for,” he said.
Dr Trewin put the warm spell down to a prolonged high pressure system over south-eastern Australia that had deflected cold fronts. Warmer ocean temperatures had also limited cool sea breezes.
SYDNEY’S ‘HEATWAVE’
Climate Change Research Centre research fellow Sarah Perkins said Sydney was experiencing its longest heatwave on record.
People usually associate heatwaves with summer, but if you use the definition that a heatwave is about higher temperatures relative to the averages for that time of year, the warm spell Sydney is experiencing smashes previous records.
Sydney has had nine days above the “extreme threshold” of average temperatures for May. The next longest heatwave was over four days in January of 1910.
we're in the middle of #sydney's longest #heatwave. It might be pleasant but it's extreme for this time of year. pic.twitter.com/UTEPhC0I8L
— Sarah (@sarahinscience) May 25, 2014 Sub-type: comment CAPTION: we're in the middle of #sydney's longest #heatwave. It might be pleasant but it's extreme for this time of year. pic.twitter.com/UTEPhC0I8L & mdash; Sarah (@sarahinscience) May 25, 2014
Dr Perkins said climate scientists were seeing more of these unseasonably warm spells.
“From a climate science perspective, unfortunately, it’s no surprise,” she said.
“I can understand why people are enjoying the warm weather — it’s lovely — but if I put my climate scientist hat on it’s a little bit scary.
“It is pleasant, but we have to remember these types of extreme events have adverse impacts that aren’t really felt until three or four months down the track.”
These include drier soil, which is damaging to crops, and higher fuel loads, which can add to bushfire risk.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The warm weather is not predicted to end here.
Bureau of Meteorology climatologist Blair Trewin said southern Victoria, Tasmania and southeast South Australia should expect a warmer-than-average winter.
In the short term, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide will experience a gradual cooling over the rest of the week.
A top of 26C is forecast for Sydney today and it will slowly drop to 21C at the weekend, while Melbourne will drop to tops of 17C on Saturday and Sunday.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects El Niño conditions to kick in during the second half of the year, which will mean below-average rainfall for southern and eastern inland Australia and the likelihood of drought.
About two thirds of El Niño events have caused major drought over large parts of Australia since 1900.
The bureau says there is a 70 per cent chance of El Niño, which is a weather pattern associated with warm water temperatures. The tropical Pacific Ocean has warmed steadily since February.
ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Every capital city except Perth has experienced higher-than-usual temperatures so far during May, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Here’s a rundown of the maximum temps:
• Sydney: May 2014 mean — 23.3C; May mean since 1859 — 19.4C
• Melbourne: May 2014 mean — 19.4C; May mean since 1887 — 16.7C
• Brisbane: May 2014 mean — 24.7C; May mean since 1887 — 23.2C
• Perth: May 2014 mean — 22.0C; May mean since 1994 — 22.4C
• Adelaide: May 2014 mean — 21.1C; May mean since 1977 — 19.0C
• Hobart: May 2014 mean — 16.1C; May mean since 1881 — 14.5C
• Canberra: May 2014 mean — 17.4C; May mean since 1939 — 15.6C
• Darwin: May 2014 mean — 32.6C; May mean since 1941 — 32.0C
Originally published as Records melt across country as capitals experience weeks of unseasonably warm weather
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