Sydney wakes to coldest morning of the year as winter chill kicks in

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Sydney wakes to coldest morning of the year as winter chill kicks in

By Josh Dye and Jenny Noyes
Updated

Sydneysiders have shivered through the coldest morning of the year so far, as winter sets in across the country following a mild start to June.

Observatory Hill hit a low of 6.1 degrees at 5.30am on Thursday, the first day temperatures in the city centre have dipped below 7 degrees this year.

Temperatures on Thursday morning were particularly frosty in the city's west, although the cold has already set in for some parts. Richmond reported 0.7 degrees at 2am, its equal coldest minimum this winter following a cold snap on June 6.

Australia's coldest June temperature in eight years was -12 degrees, recorded at Perisher Valley.

Outside alpine areas, the coldest temperature seen in NSW this year so far was recorded at Cooma airport, a freezing -9 degrees, while Canberra also had its coldest morning of the year at -4.4 degrees.

The cold temperatures were nationwide, with frosts in every state and territory, including southern parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory, Weatherzone reported.

Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Rob Taggart said 2019 has been the warmest year on average to date, with mild conditions keeping daytime maximum and overnight minimum temperatures above the June average.

But ahead of the winter solstice on Saturday, heralding the true start to winter, temperatures are suddenly feeling much cooler.

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Sydney's forecast maximum on Thursday is 17 degrees, while Friday is forecast to be 16 degrees after a low of 7 degrees.

It might be best to delay getting out of bed [Thursday] and Friday.

Weatherzone meteorologist Craig McIntosh

"This is just average winter conditions, but it feels quite cool because we’ve been experiencing above average autumn conditions and certainly above average summer conditions," Mr Taggart said.

"It feels cooler because we’ve had the warmest start to the year so far."

Out west, Penrith is facing a cold snap with frosts possible for the next few mornings.

"The next three mornings we’re forecasting 1, 2 and 3 degrees. The average [minimum] in Penrith in June is 7 degrees," Mr Taggart said.

Penrith is facing possible frosts over the next three mornings.

Penrith is facing possible frosts over the next three mornings.Credit: Nick Moir

"There’s a high pressure system sitting over southern Australia. That’s going to give pretty clear skies and light winds, which is why we get quite cool temperatures out in the west.

"Closer to the city that’s moderated by the sea surface temperatures, which are 20.4 degrees. Closer to the coast you won’t get the really cold mornings."

While showers are predicted for the weekend in Sydney, only coastal areas are expected to receive rainfall.

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It spells bad news for Sydney's dwindling water supply, with dam levels continuing to fall.

"Most of the heavier showers will be coastal. The dams won’t receive much rainfall out of this. Even those catchments that are fairly close to the coast, getting a few millimetres doesn't make much of a difference to the catchment levels."

Weatherzone meteorologist Craig McIntosh said: "Normal winter conditions are finally here."

"It’s taken really to the solstice to get any prolonged cold weather," he said.

"Unfortunately the places that least need the rain will get the most. Everywhere needs it, but some places more than others."

Mr McIntosh said the chilly mornings might necessitate turning on the electric blanket or using an extra doona.

"It might be best to delay getting out of bed [Thursday] and Friday."

Weatherzone is owned by Nine, publisher of this masthead.

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