Wild map shows warm blast to hit millions of Aussies – and spring record could tumble for first time in more than 50 years
Australia is set for an unusually warm start to spring, with Sydney potentially recording its hottest opening days to the season in more than 50 years. A high-pressure system that moved over southern Australia at the weekend has pushed a hot air mass from the interior and northwest across much of the country, bringing above-average temperatures to several major cities and raising the prospect of a record that has stood since 1969.
Sydney is forecast to reach 24–27C over the first three days of spring, 4–7C above average, climbing to 29C by Saturday and into the 30s in the western suburbs, with no rain expected for a week; a meteorologist said temperatures above 24.8C would mark the city's warmest start to spring in 161 years. Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra and Brisbane are also expected to see above-average warmth, while forecasters predict a drier-than-usual September for most of the country outside the tropics. The warm spell follows Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra all recording their warmest winters on record, and one of the worst alpine snow seasons on record.
- Sydney could see its warmest start to spring in over 50 years.
- High-pressure system is pushing hot, dry air across most of Australia.
- Follows record-warm winters in several major Australian cities.
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Australia is heading into spring with an unusually warm and dry outlook. A high-pressure system that settled over the south of the country at the weekend has drawn hot air down from the interior and the north-west, pushing temperatures well above normal in several major cities just as the season is due to begin.
Sydney is the main focus, with forecasters watching whether it will post its warmest start to spring since 1969, a benchmark that has stood for more than fifty years. Similar above-average warmth is expected in Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra and Brisbane, alongside a generally drier September forecast for most of the country outside the tropics.
This heat comes after Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra each recorded their warmest winter on record, and one of the poorest alpine snow seasons on record. That pattern of unusually mild, dry conditions across consecutive seasons is why this spring forecast is drawing particular attention.