Hey winter, where the bloody hell are you?

KEEP the heater in storage and don’t pull out your winter jacket just yet because the cooler weather is officially in hiding.

Melbourne in autumn: sunshine and warmer than average weather. Picture: Nicole Garmston

KEEP the heater in storage and don’t pull out your winter jacket just yet because the cooler weather is officially in hiding.

Sun-loving Aussies have been enjoying above average temperatures across most of Australia and the good news is they’re not going away anytime soon.

With a combination of warmer nights and mostly sunny days it’s easy to believe it’s not autumn at all.

Sydney in particular has experienced a run of above average days with beach-goers and sun-lovers taking full advantage of the anomaly.

A high of 28 degrees yesterday saw thousands flock to beaches and parks across the city in what has been a warm autumn so far.

Hannah Stacey enjoyed the glorious warm weather at Freshwater, Sydney yesterday. Picture Cameron Richardson.

In fact the first half of May has been the warmest on record for maximum temperatures across the city which normally has an average temperature of 19.5 degrees for this time of year.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Philip Landvogt said the month so far had not seen temperatures dip below the average in Sydney and other eastern parts of the country.

“It’s definitely warmer mainly due to the high pressure system hitting the east coast and parts of Central Australia,” Mr Landvogt said.

“This has brought sunny skies and warmer air temperatures.”

While winter lovers will be wondering where the cold weather is, chances are they will be waiting a while.

Most of Australia is set to experience above average daytime and night time temperatures but above average rainfall for the next three months, the BoM predicts.

The BoM prediction for how wet our winter will look. Picture: Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

However its climate outlook for May to July confirms winter is missing in action and we are set for more warmer weather nonetheless.

These handy graphic helps show what they mean.

Things are going to be a little warmer this winter. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology.

According to the Bom our warmer nights show no sign of going away anytime soon and warmer than average days are expected for the tropical north, and southern parts of Australia from now right through to July.

This will be caused by a combination of warm Indian Ocean temperatures, a rapidly weakening El Niño, and warm sea surface temperatures surrounding most of the country.

Tasmania is the only State which has so far felt anything resembling autumn or winter weather.

As this prediction shows, you’re probably safe to keep that winter jacket in the cupboard for a while yet. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology.

“One area it hasn’t been warm is Tasmania, especially the west coast which has had a fair bit of rain and even snow” Mr Landvogt said.

Victoria has also experienced above average temperatures so far this month.

“The average temperature for this time of year is just under 17 degrees,” Mr Landvogt said.

“Yet Melbourne has had a run of days above 20, with the temperature hitting 22 degrees on Friday and Sunday.”

Brisbane has also been basking in glorious sunshine hitting 28 degrees yesterday, which is above the 23.5 degree average for this time of year.

What autumn? Cooper and Jack Shadlow soak up another warm Autumn day in Queensland at Sunshine Beach. Photo Lachie Millard.

“Brisbane has had a run of temperatures which have hit the mid to late 20s,” he said.

Summer fans can rest assured winter won’t even look like appearing soon although there is a chance of a cold front hitting next week which will bring cold air across Victoria, parts of New South Wales and Tasmania.

Western Australia, which has so far been enjoying temperatures in the low to mid 20s, is set to experience cooler temperatures over the weekend with the mercury predicted to fall to 18 degrees.

South Australian, which normally experiences an average of 19 degrees, has seen temperatures hover between 20 and 23 degrees, which is “more in line for this time of year,:

However, the warmer than average weather isn’t all good news.

Our water storage is around 10 per cent below levels this time last year and predicted to fall

further.

The Indian Ocean temperature also remained at a record high, contributing to coral bleaching which has been observed in reefs off the northwest Australian coast.