Weather
Australia shivered through its coldest night of the year as temperatures plummeted to -13.2°C (8.2°F) at Thredbo Top Station in New South Wales (NSW) on Sunday, August 17. The reading, taken at the resort’s summit elevation of 1,957 meters (6,421 feet), was the nation’s coldest by more than three degrees, according to Weatherzone. The cold record for Thredbo since records began in 1967 was noted in 1974 when -13.3°C (8.1°F) was measured at the top station.
The extreme chill was attributed to a rare windless winter night and recent snowfall combined with a very dry polar airmass is sitting over southeastern Australia, resulting in radiational cooling. Weatherzone meteorologist Tim Woebbeking explained how the recent snowfall prevented any ground heat from convecting upwards: “It’s like a big puffer jacket for the ground that prevents heat being transferred to the near-surface air.” It marked the coldest temperature recorded in mainland Australia since 2018, and the lowest nationally since -13.5°C (7.7°F) at Liawenee on Tasmania’s Central Plateau in July 2024.
The freezing milestone comes during what is shaping up to be a strong ski season in Australia, with consistent natural snowfall and excellent conditions across the Snowy Mountains. Resorts like Thredbo, Hotham, Falls Creek, and Perisher have benefited from both frequent storms and cold nights for snow making, helping maintain deep bases well into August.
Meanwhile, much of the east coast is bracing for another week of heavy rain. Sydney dipped to just under 7°C (44.6°F) overnight and is forecast to endure persistent showers until at least Sunday, with the risk of flooding in some areas. Earlier this month, the city recorded its wettest August weekend since 1998, with more than 80mm (3.1 inches) of rain falling — slightly above the monthly average in just two days.
In northern NSW and southern Queensland, forecasters say there is even a chance of snow, after light flurries were seen earlier this month. On the west coast, Perth is also preparing for a soaking, with up to 40mm (1.6 inches) of rain expected midweek, and as much as 80mm (3.1 inches) across the wider southwest region.
