By weather forecaster Mike Griffin
After the early winter Polar Outbreak (POB) that caused the coldest start to winter in eastern Australia; now seems to be trending back to a normal winter.
Early June maximums in Melbourne never went above 15C for tor the first time in 70 years.
All the eastern Capitals from Hobart to Brisbane recorded super cold days causing a strain on the power grid. Central Queenslanders felt rather cold as 7 days of single figure minimums had locals scrambling for jackets, blankets and heaters. Rockhampton had seven days of an average minimum of 7C with the coldest 4.9C last Friday, 10 June. The coast was not immune with Yeppoon recording 6.8C last Sunday which was a degree colder than Rocky.
While inland the Callide recorded nine days in a row of single figures with four days of zero or less.
Coldest recorded was Biloela with minus 1.2C Friday. Frosts extended TAS/VIC/NSW into southern Queensland and northward into the Central Highlands; and even west of Mackay. West Townsville recorded 3C and Cairns Racecourse 12.7C last Saturday.
The west was not spared with Longreach down to 2C, Winton 2.2C, Windorah 2.7C, Mt. Isa 3.3C and Birdsville 4.9C during the last week.
Not even the islands escaped the wintery cold. Residents on Great Keppel Island (GKI) felt rather cold with a minimum of 12C last Friday, 10 June.
The S/SW winds from past Tasmania pushed cold air into CQ with early light W/SW winds in Keppel Bay. Great for the Boaties but maybe not good for the fishing!?While it was warmer in the water with Sea Surface Temperature of 21C In Keppel Bay. Which is uncommonly low for this time of year. The Lagoon temperature was a cold 16C!
Then Wednesday the moist ESE air, well offshore, returned with light brief showers from Heron to Curtis. Tannum recorded (1.0mm),Gladstone (0.6mm) and Benaraby (1.0mm) late Wednesday. A few fogs in south eastern Queensland covered Brisbane and north to Kingaroy and tried to reach CQ. Early morning minimums jumped about 7C with double figures returning to Capricornia. After a minimum of 7.3C in the River City on Tuesday morning the minimum on Wednesday was 14.7C. All due to the moisture returning from the east. Plus maximums rising from 19C over the weekend to 25C by Wednesday and a sunny ‘balmy’ 25.6C Thursday.
Figures concerning car fatalities for CQ in the first six months of the year 2021 and 2022 show a distinct rise. There were 28 deaths this year compared to 13 last year. Wonder did the wetter than normal conditions this year be a factor?. More on this next week.
USA – Forecasters in the US are using the term ‘Derecho’. A massive storm development that caused power outages to 600,000 homes. And cancelled over 400 flights with gusts over 80 mph ( 128.7kph) for O’Hare Airport Chicago last Monday. ‘Derecho’ is a name derived form the Spanish meaning ‘straight’. A storm system that moves a long distance ” straight” rapidly and brings winds which can devastate an area several miles wide.
CHINA – A large tornado hit Changzhai Village in Henan Provlast Monday. Houses were ripped apart and trees torn down with debris spread across the countryside. Luckily no injuries.
SPAIN – Madrid recorded 101F ( 38C) on Monday and 104F( 40C) on Tuesday. Temperatures were 8-14C above average for early June. The heatwave is expected to reach France and southern England. As a jetstream pulls in hot air from North Africa northward into western Europe.