Sydney experienced its coldest morning in nearly a year, with temperatures dropping to 5.7°C, though the windchill made it feel even colder. Helen Reid from the Bureau of Meteorology noted that more cool weather might still be on the way.
The city’s previous coldest morning was on July 20, 2023, with a low of 5.1°C, and Thursday’s temperature was the coldest for June since June 21 last year, which had a low of 5.2°C.
The apparent temperature, which includes windchill, fell below 1°C on Thursday. Although the Bureau does not keep a long-term record of these “feels like” temperatures, Homebush saw a low of 3.7°C at 7 am, and Camden recorded -0.8°C, making it the coldest spot in the Sydney area.
Regional areas face extreme cold with temperatures plummeting to -8.9°C in Cooma overnight.Regional and alpine areas experienced even colder temperatures, with Cooma hitting -8.9°C and Perisher -8°C. The southern tablelands saw lows of -5°C.
Despite the frosty start, Sydney’s temperature was expected to rise to a maximum of 17°C later in the day, and the cold is anticipated to ease on Friday.
In Melbourne, temperatures ranged from -2.6°C in Coldstream to 3.1°C at Olympic Park, with a forecast high of 13°C. Alpine regions were also frigid, with Mount Hotham recording -8.3°C and Falls Creek and Omeo below -4°C.
Reid explained that clear skies, dry cold air, and a stable atmosphere due to a high-pressure ridge contributed to the cold conditions.
A cold front moving through NSW was expected to bring cloud cover and some rain, which should help alleviate the cold and frost risks in the coming days. Victoria will also see light rain and potentially snow down to 1,200 meters.