Coldest day in decades – prepare for two icy blasts
As winter draws closer, parts of Australia are being warned to prepare for the coldest day in decades as a cold front brings icy conditions.
Sydney is expected to be hit with two icy blasts as Melbourne prepares for a month’s worth of rain in three days.
Today, Sydney can expect a cold Friday with forecasts predicting the coolest day since November 2017. Temperatures are currently sitting at five degrees above the average for May, at 25C.
Over the weekend, Melbourne is facing a month’s worth of rain in just three days. Today and tomorrow, Melbourne is also expected to be hit with the coldest two days in Autumn since 1978, with an expected maximum temperature of 13C.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for large parts of Victoria, including Melbourne.
A Severe Weather Warning has been issued for parts of #Victoria including #Melbourne: https://t.co/JrHe5r6hFC Heavy rainfall and damaging winds are possible later today and Friday. Please check warning text for your particular location. pic.twitter.com/VVDmXRyjG2
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) May 10, 2018
Queensland will also feel a winter chill with temperatures expected to drop by 7C this weekend.
The cool change comes after many capitals experienced warmer temperatures in April.
A stray low-pressure system with a polar air mass moving north from the Southern Ocean is responsible for the cold front.
Today, Canberra is expected to have its coldest day in almost two decades. Sky News Weather chef meteorologist Tom Saunders told news.con.au that today, Canberra will face its coldest May day in 18 years with a high of 9C.
Mr Saunders said the entire southeast of Australia would be impacted by the cold polar air mass.
“The cold air is causing temperatures to drop sharply, and is also leading to showers, hail and storms over much of southeast Australia,” he said.
“Warnings are already current for southeast South Australia and eastern Tasmania for damaging winds.
“Warnings will most likely follow over parts of VIC and NSW later today or tomorrow.”
Here’s what you should expect in your city over the weekend.
Sydney
Today 18C, Saturday 18C with showers, Sunday 20C with showers.
Canberra
Today 9C with showers, Saturday 12C, Sunday 12C.
Melbourne
Today 13C with showers, Saturday 15C with showers, Sunday 16C with showers.
Adelaide
Today 18C with showers, Saturday 19C, Sunday 20C.
Hobart
Today 15C with heavy rain, Saturday 15C with heavy rain, Sunday 14C.
Brisbane
Today 26C, Saturday 22C, Sunday 23C.
Perth
Today 30C, Saturday 29C, Sunday 25C.
Darwin
Today 34C, Saturday 32C, Sunday 31C.