Tasmanian weather: Cold air lashes Hobart but not coldest day this winter

Despite a particularly chilly morning in Hobart, the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed it’s not the coldest day this winter. So why did it feel bitterly cold?

Patricia Dyer and four-year-old daughter Ella have arrived to a freezing Hobart from Sydney. Picture: Chris Kidd

While Hobart has woken up to a bitterly cold morning, the Bureau of Meteorology says it’s not the coldest day on record this winter. So why did it feel so cold?

Senior meteorologist Matthew Thomas said Hobart’s temperature is reflective of how cold it is in the Upper Derwent Valley. Ouse recorded a temperature of 1C on Thursday morning, while Bushy Park recorded 2C.

“That’s because of the cold temperatures that occurred yesterday evening,” Mr Thomas said.

“We had quite cold air over the state through yesterday and then the winds eased back overnight and the temperatures began to decrease. We had some high clouds build over the state later in the night, which trapped those cold temperatures in the Upper Derwent Valley.

“What we see in those situations is the cold air just draining down the Derwent and Hobart is getting quite cool temperatures.”

But after a brief clearance in cloud cover in the Valley, the temperature rose with some areas recording up to 10C warmer.

“It was 2C at Ouse at 11.55am and 25 minutes later it jumped to 12C,” Mr Thomas said.

“That occurred because there was no wind but there was high cloud.”

The coldest day Hobart has experienced in winter was 8C in June. July 4 also recorded a cold day with a maximum of 9.5C.

“It’s not our coldest winter day, and certainly not the coldest day for the year, but it is a significantly cold day because of that cold air,” Mr Thomas said.

“For much of the rest of July, we’re expecting to see the temperatures go back to being above average and a return to the mild temperatures.”

Web camera at Mount Wellington/kunanyi captures a light dusting of snow, while temperatures continue to be cold in Hobart on July 20, 2023.

Mount Wellington/kunanyi also experienced freezing temperatures, including an air temperature similar to Antarctica. At 10am on Thursday, the apparent temperature was recorded as -15.6C. Casey Station in Antarctica recorded a temperature of -17.5C.

“The apparent temperature represents taking first of all, the temperature, and then a combination of looking at how much moisture is in the atmosphere, and what the wind speed is, and sort of working out a wind chill factor,” Mr Thomas said.

“If you imagine what your skin would be feeling, it would be about equivalent to if there was no wind and the temperature was -15.6C. It would be very cold and you would lose heat very quickly in these conditions.”

Forecast

Hobart

The states capital will have a partly cloudy weekend with a maximum temperature of 15C. Monday is forecasted to be partly cloudy and a top of 16C before slightly dropping to 14C on Tuesday.

Launceston

Launceston will have a mostly sunny Friday and top of 13C, before possible showers on Saturday. Sunday through til Tuesday will be partly cloudy and a top of 15C.

Strahan

The states West is forecasted to have a wet week, with showers and a top of 13C expected over the weekend and will continue through til Wednesday.

Swansea

The states East will have a sunny Friday and a top of 14C, before a partly cloudy weekend and top of 15C. Monday through to Wednesday will be a maximum of 16C.