Topic: Warmer than normal spring expected for 2009.

[Harley Pearman]

40C Temperatures for Sydney 22/11/09

For the second time in 3 days, 40C maximum temperatures reached into the Sydney basin. Following on from Fridays heat as well as 32C to 37C on 21/11/09 across Western Sydney, today 22/11/09 saw 40C temperatures spread across most of Sydney. The peak temperatures that occurred were well above the November average.

Maximum temperatures for the day is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology weather station data bases and include:-

Campbelltown - 41C.
Penrith 42.1C (Second 42C day in 3 days here).
Richmond - 41.4C.
Sydney Airport - 42.5C.
Sydney Observatory Hill - 40.4C.
Sydney Olympic Park - 42.4C.

In addition I took the photograph of the sky from where I live looking North East mid afternoon. It shows the colour of the sky during the hottest part of the day. In particular the sky over Western Sydney is a white colour. While some high cirrus cloud is evident, smoke from bushfires, dust and heat haze created a situation where the sky turned white, even a light brown colour for much of the afternoon. It made for unpleasant conditions. I did note that towards evening the winds turned to a more westerly direction which cleared away some of the bushfire smoke hanging across the region.

Harley Pearman

[Richary]

What was unusual as well for Sydney was that Sydney Airport top scored today beating locations further west. I was working on putting up an antenna mast for a friend today and it was hot work today including the ladder and running cables under the house.

Some of the spots the change has already hit have showed some very quick temperature drops so I hope some cooling is left in it by the time it gets to Sydney. Moruya airport as an example dropped from 32.4 at 8pm to 23.9 at 8:12 and by 9pm down to 19.5.

[Harley Pearman]

A warmer than normal November / A warmer than normal spring did occur for 2009

Sydney

A full account of average temperatures for some weather stations is produced and attached below. I have combined data from the various weather stations around the city (From Weatherzone and Bureau of Meteorology) to provide a more comprehensive account of temperature conditions for the city for the month. The inland suburbs of the city experienced a very warm November characterised by a high number of 30 degree days. The coastal fringe was spared much of the heat. The details are contained in the first attachment below.

November temperature anomalies (Maximum temperatures)

The entire state of New South Wales and Victoria experienced a very warm, even a hot November characterized by some hot to very hot conditions. The worst affected areas were the inland areas of both states where daytime temperatures were an incredible 5-6C above the long term average for some areas. Generally for New South Wales, only the North East coast of the state was spared the worst of the heat. The plot showing this produced on the Bureau of Meteorology "Water and the Land" site is provided below.

November temperature anomalies (Minimum temperatures)

The inland part of New South Wales experienced minimum November temperature anomalies that were 4-6C above the long term average and warmer than normal nights were a feature. The state of Victoria was also affected by the November warmth and only the coastal areas escaped the worst of it.

The coastal areas of New South Wales generally had minimum temperatures that were 2-3C above the long term average.

The plot showing this produced on the Bureau of Meteorology "Water and the Land" site is provided below.

Spring Temperature anomalies (Maximum)

The whole state of New South Wales and Victoria experienced a warmer than normal spring when maximum temperatures are averaged out. The POAMA models were successful in predicting a warmer than normal spring for maximum temperatures. In particular:-

- The majority of the state of New South Wales experienced maximum temperatures that were 2-3C above the normal long term average.
- Some inland areas mainly along the slopes (South West slopes and Central West slopes) experienced maximum temperatures that were 3-4C above the long term average.
-Northern Victoria mainly north of the Great Dividing Range experienced daytime temperatures that were 2-3C above the long term average.
- Southern Victoria mainly south of the Great Dividing range experienced daytime temperatures that were 1-2C above the long term average.

Spring Temperature anomalies (Minimum)

Overall the POAMA models were successful in predicting a warmer than normal spring for minimum temperatures. When the minimum average temperatures for September to November are averaged out and plotted it is found that:-

- The majority of the state of New South Wales experienced minimum temperatures of 1-2C above the long term average.
- Some inland areas of the state experienced minimum temperatures that were 2-3C above the long term average.
- The North East coastal areas of the state experienced minimum temperatures that were 0-1C above the long term average.

Harley Pearman