Discussion: Sydney's Weather

[rainfan]

Well the NW winds have all but disappeared! Weather since last post has been stable with lots and lots of sunshine (apart from yesterday morning which was overcast), temps a bit on the cool side and light winds during the morning, fresh cool NE winds in the afternoon.

Lovely today - spent all day at the beach with rellies/mates, great fun had by us all . Am now referred to as the "Acorn Man" . After min of 14oC max was only 22oC (airport 15/25) but felt warmer in the sun. Since the 3th temps have not reached 23oC. 35oC has not been reached since March 2007 and 38oC since January 2007.

Tomorrow's expected to be 26oC with chance of storm before an evening much colder gusty southerly change with 20oC/cloudy/possible shower/storm weather for Tues/Wed.

I'm off to Brisbane on Wednesday, I see I might fly into a possible storm . Temps during my week doesn't look that warm either, cloudy with possible showers then fine from friday onwards. Mate who lives in Brisbane complained about the "wet/ cold" weather; temps were only 19oC Friday/Sat .

I'll be attending work conferences Thur/Fri then doing a cruise on the Brisbane River Friday night so am pleased (only this once ) that's it'll be fine and no rain. Going to the Planetarium at Mount Coot-tha on Saturday then doing a tour of the beer (4XXXX) factory . Spending all day Monday on the Gold Coast - it's a tacky and awful place but I want to visit the new "Q Deck" building so at least that's something to look forward to . Back to Sydney on Tuesday 21st where I say hooroo to my 4 days of R & R then look forward to my NZ (South Island) holiday in December .

[ATO2]

Crikey! You seem to be having a great life there, rainfan!
We had our warmest day since April 30th, yesterday. 20 degrees! Shows how mild the climate is where I live: 9 degree difference in the range of the maxima in 5 and half months!

[RWood]

For sure rainfan! I think you would also have enjoyed the topsy-turvy conditions I got in Brazil....

I'm not sure the rules allow me to enquire as to the significance of "acorn man"!

[ATO2]

Originally Posted by RWood

For sure rainfan! I think you would also have enjoyed the topsy-turvy conditions I got in Brazil....

I'm not sure the rules allow me to enquire as to the significance of "acorn man"!

Yeh, i wanted to know but was afraid to ask! LOL

[rainfan]

Whoops - not that kind of acorn . I meant I'm as brown as a acorn. Should have phrased that better ! Sorry if anyone felt offended.

Anyway speaking of lack of NW winds yesterday - made an appearance today . Sunny til about an hour ago, now overcast & bit dark in time for workers coming home . Such contrast! Warm with moderate NW winds changing to cooler NE winds after lunch. 29oC in the city after min of 16 (airport 16/31). Gusty S change expected overnight.

Yes, when I go away, I like to do a lot of touring and sight seeing . I'm wondering what's the weather outlook for NZ during Dec/Jan? More westerlies? More easterlies?

ATO2 - that's sure a very small diurnal range, does this apply to the rest of the west of the NI - Wanganui, Palmy North etc. The Tasman Sea does have a big influence on NP's temps.

[ATO2]

January is usually pretty good. December can be queer at times.
Rainfan: I didn't make those temperatures clear. It isn't the diurnal range. That nine degrees was the difference between the lowest daily maximum recorded (11 degrees) and the highest daily maximum (20 degrees) recorded over the past 5 and half months. Our annual average diurnal range is around 7 degrees.
Wanganui and Palmerston North are quite different to us. Wanganui, though coastal, can get far higher temps than New Plymouth and lower minima. Palmerston North gets frosts and things as it is inland. Its summer maxima are slighter higher than New Plymouth's. It, like Wanganui, can get the odd very hot day.In addition, Palmerston North is is very cloudy, jammed up as it is alongside the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges.
Both places are drier than New Plymouth, all three are windy places, in my opinion.
New Plymouth has the most sunshine hours and reliable rainfall.

[RWood]

Yes, Wanganui's rainfall is modest but sun about >=130 hrs less than NP on the "recent" record (say NP 2185, Wang. 2050, PN 1750 (at most)). Would be interesting if/when records restart at Wanganui (absent since mid-90s).

There is a point about P Nth data though - at Kairanga a little west of the town the average is about 1950 and at the coast around Ohakea/Foxton it's up to about 2100.

[rainfan]

Gusty southerly change swept thru around 9 -10pm last night, temps dropped from 22 to 18 degrees in 30 minutes. Mostly cloudy, humid and mild at first with light rain periods becoming cooler with moderate to heavy falls after midday to mid afternoon then eased off with an hour of sun or so. Rain was particularly heavy in the city with road gutters flooded. Really nice to get some rain after a dry week. 16/21 for city & 15/21 at airport.

Rain since 9am yesterday:
Ob Hill: 9mm
Airport: 8mm
Rose Bay: 8mm

Currently cloudy from the south & cool fresh southerlies & 18 degrees.

Looks like I'm gonna get a double dose with our today's weather forecast for Brisbane tomorrow . Cool Thursday with just 22 & 23 for Friday before a "proper" fine and warm weekend days. Mate has advised me to bring a jumper just in case, looked at the minimums of 12 - 13oC over weekend whch does seem a bit coolish.

Sunshine MTD to end yesterday: Sydney 104; Melbourne 97; Brisbane 99; Adelaide 115; Perth 121 and Darwin 119

[rainfan]

Originally Posted by RWood

Yes, Wanganui's rainfall is modest but sun about >=130 hrs less than NP on the "recent" record (say NP 2185, Wang. 2050, PN 1750 (at most)). Would be interesting if/when records restart at Wanganui (absent since mid-90s).

There is a point about P Nth data though - at Kairanga a little west of the town the average is about 1950 and at the coast around Ohakea/Foxton it's up to about 2100.

I've heard several "horror" stories about Palm. Nth's climate - dreary and windy with lots of showers courtesty of an ex-pat Kiwi that I know, he said when he moved to Australia from Palm. Nth - it was the happiest day of his life! I've been to Palm. Nth 3 times, on each of those times, it's been wet, windy and cold. I don't have much of an positive impression of Palm. Nth - found it flat, deviod of life and dull with nothing much to look at (Sorry guys - this is my humble opinion - please don't be offended). I've heard NP and Wanganui's weather is more pleasant than Palm. Nth - ATO2 has just confirmed that.

Is Ohakeea/Foxton's data used for Wanganui?

[RWood]

No, because Foxton and Ohakea are both closed as well! A big data gap in that quadrant of the NI at present, most regrettable.

To be fair about P Nth, although many don't think much of it as a town, it is sunnier than either Dunedin or In'gill in the longterm averages (quite a lot of future data is needed to see if that state remains permanent). Windspeeds in In'gill are also a little higher than in PN. However I think the other towns are more attractive in appearance, particularly Dunedin.