WEATHER UPDATE: REASONS BEHIND UNUSUAL WINTER

The abnormally warm Winter as explained previously is connected to the above average sea surface temperatures surrounding Australia.

Another big ingredient is the large belt of high pressure that is dominating the mid latitudes. This has forced all of the moisture around the country so the constant sunshine over the interior of the nation allows that heat to build.

The Winter storms around the south pole are now at their peak and the roaring 40s, a fast moving river of air across the southern ocean is in high gear. The deep low pressure cells from those Winter storms are trying to force their way north and this is creating a huge pressure gradient in between the belt of high pressure and the south pole.

Some of those strong winds are starting to move a little further north clipping southern Australia causing damage across Tasmania, Victoria and into southern NSW today. When the fronts approach NW winds develop drawing all the hot air from the Red Centre across the region. This current trend is set to continue for another week at least.