Cold weather sweeps through major Australian cities with mercury set to plunge throughout the week

Sky News AU

a day ago

The mercury looks set to plunge throughout the week for most Australian cities with frosty mornings on the way as winter ramps up.
Clear skies appear set to bring cold temperatures to much of the country on Wednesday, with frost likely in several regions.
The odd, patchy shower could occur across New South Wales, although the coast is forecast to remain clear and dry. Elsewhere, light showers could sprinkle over parts of southern Victoria and eastern Tasmania.
'Extensive frosts looking possible across parts of central Queensland, northern Victoria, southern New South Wales, and parts of Tassie as well,' Sky News Australia Meteorologist Alison Osborne said.
'As for Queenslanders it's looking particularly nippy for you. Down to minus one in Roma tomorrow, four degrees in Toowoomba, one degree in Longreach to kick off your Wednesday, and just nine degrees in Brisbane.'
Chilly temperatures are expected for most cities, with highs of 19 forecast for Brisbane, 18 for Sydney, 14 in Melbourne, and 13 for Canberra.
Frosty mornings are forecast to stick around throughout the week, with clear skies set to deliver cold nights.
'Believe it or not, it's not the wettest weather or the cloudiest weather that brings the coldest conditions during winter in Australia, it is the clearest weather - clear, cold nights,' Ms Osborne said.
'The temperature is dropping very quickly with no blanket of cloud to prevent that heat escaping.
'Overall, most of the country is expecting clear winter nights this week. What this means is very cold winter nights, temperatures dropping quickly as soon as the sun goes down.'
Parts of Western Australia and areas stretching from central Queensland to Tasmania should expect morning frost from Thursday through to the weekend, although some regions could see a brief reprieve on Friday due to an increase in cloud and windier conditions.
Frost is normal for the start of winter in June, bringing the threat of damage to crops in rural areas.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Frost Warning for the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central, North East, Central, and East Gippsland forecast districts in Victoria and the Riverland, Upper South East and Lower South East forecast districts in South Australia.
The Bureau warned 'temperatures at ground level can be many degrees lower than those recorded by standard weather stations, especially in calm conditions with clear skies'.
In addition to frost, parts of the nation's south are forecast to see rainfall later in the week.
A cold front and low are expected to push into SA on Thursday, which is likely to bring widespread rain before weakening over the following days.
'The mostly dry weather continues for most of the county on Thursday, but we are watching some showers, likely to develop over the New South Wales and the Victorian Gippsland coasts, of less than five milimetres. Widespread falls through South Australia are likely to be under five (milimitres) as well, so nothing too heavy there,' Ms Osborne said.
Patchy showers are expected across the nation over the weekend, with a front likely to sweep across SA and Victoria bringing rain and cloudy conditions.