Temperatures

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December heat wave and bushfire weather return

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Bushfires and extreme heat have surprisingly returned. It certainly amazes me how low temperatures over western Queensland a week ago and also parts of the Northern Territory have once again allowed for the heat trough and ridge to set in extending to coastal NSW once again. Furthmore, the wet season has barely made any impact on the Northern Territory or over most parts of northern Australia for that matter! The latest models consistently show extreme heat covering at least a quarter of the continent over  the interior. Basically, this excessive heat must give way to an extensive monsoonal trough and ample rainfall as well as an extensive tropical cyclone season.

Jimmy

Heat wave conditions November 2009

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

It is incredible that we have almost repeated the heat wave conditions Victoria experienced earlier this year which produced the catastrophic bushfires. With 850hPa temperatures of 26 to 28C over the next few days, temperatures are sure to rise into the mid-40’s. Given it is still officially late spring, this is record breaking conditions. Drought conditions continue right across the region and with the heat, we have potentially near catastrophic bushfire conditions with the index nearing 100.

I note that you were able to experience an incredible lightning display Wednesday night.

Jimmy

Severe pulse storms SE Australia – Storms continue November 2009

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Storms have been ongoing throughout Victoria over the past couple of days spreading into NSW. Some interesting pulse cells developed with some impressive anvil shields due to deep convection. Temperatures in the upper levels at anvil level have been rather cooler than I have seen it for many years. So the lapse rates in the upper portion of the atmosphere have allowed for some rapid development including the odd overshoot on pulse cells even. This has also enhanced the conditions for hail development once storms can tap into the upper atmosphere. Mid level temperatures have also been rather cool warming up yesterday as the ridge strengthened. We’ll see what happens over the next several days. At least moisture is no issue from now on. Sydney and the North Coast should be in the firing line over the coming days.

Jimmy