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Southern Hemisphere winter now gone. Hello spring.


Tyrone

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16 hours ago, greysrigging said:

Actually Silas_Sancona Nathan, i've been having a discussion on a local FB weather page re the brutally hot summers you guys in the Phoenix region endure, particularly the one just gone. Australia's centers of heat are generally in remote sparsely populated regions, Ie the Pilbara in WA, North Western Queensland and northern South Australia and NSW. 
For example, Marble Bar last summer maximums averaged 43.7c, 43.4c and 44.1c for Dec, Jan and Feb, Birdsville in Queensland  38.9c, 44.0c and 38.2c.
As I explained to folks here,  Greater Phoenix has a population of 1.8 million ? These Aussie hot spots have a population of 1.8 billion flies and a couple of hundred people each ! It would be like having a City the size of Perth or Adelaide in the middle of the Tanami or Simpson Deserts !

Can't recall exact numbers but that seems pretty close, and the people who track future growth of the area anticipating another million ( at least ) to move here over the next few decades. There's a lot of talk revolving around the idea that the entire corridor between Phoenix and Tucson ( roughly 100 miles south ) will eventually become a megaopolis, much like the Los Angeles basin is now.  Looking at a map like Google Earth, you can see just how much space there is between here and there.. No clue how they anticipate supplying everyone with water. Southern end of Tucson is another area of the state where significant growth is suggested over time also..  Add 2-4c worth of extra heat, across the region.. if suggested trends are correct, and ..I can't imagine how that will go.  

Local utilities are already fighting over what temperature constitutes as " too hot " before shutting off power to people who might be late on their bills during the summer.  Corporate ya' hoos want the  - wont shut off power- threshold  somewhere around 105F,  while other organizations, more intune w/ recommendations made by scientists, who study the effects of heat exposure, want the threshold at 95F ( wouldn't shut off power if temps are above 95F ) My house can get up to 90 when it is 98 out just in the 3 hour window were required to use less power to save on our bill.

The overall  debate was triggered by a couple fatalities that occurred last year, simply because those customers were late on their bills.. Think I heard that something like 5-7 thousand people ( might be off, cant remember exact numbers ) owe upwards of several million in late fees to one of our electric companies. ..and that's just this summer alone.  Now, according to the same report, those people have 4 months or so to pay off what they owe, on top of what they will owe going forward, otherwise your power will be disconnected, unless you can extend your repayment timeline. I can see how, in some cases, that might work out, but, that might also extend out so far that you're caught up just as it is 100F+ again in mid / late May.  And the cycle starts again, except now " Oh, we had to raise electricity rates again, to pay for (  bigger salaries/ this guy's new boat, that person's vacation.. whatever) .. so sorry.  Stay cool, ok? ." 

And yet, even the mention of mandating Solar gets lots of scoffs and, " that's disgusting " looks from many who should be instituting such policies. No, Solar isn't perfect, but really??  Pretty crazy, imo.  

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I fully agree with the installation of solar panels on principal.... In a very sunny place like Darwin, the take up rate on new dwellings would be 90% easy.
My Son and his Fiance got a nice tax refund of 8k and he spent the lot on a Solar system. I thought, 'mug'....
We have horrendous power costs in the Territory, everyone runs aircons 24/7 ( except me, I run a coupla slabs of beer a week, so I sleep well without aircon.... lol ). Anyways, families could easily spend $800 to $1000 a quarter on power bills.... mine comes in around $450 a quarter without aircons running.
My son's system covers his monthly bills and in fact he gets a credit from PAWA because his system is putting extra into the grid. He will save / pay off his outlay in 5 to 7 years he reckons.
Me... ? semi retired.... so bugger all income... not no way am I dropping 8 or 10k up front on a solar system.... I'll be dead ( maybe ) before it paid for itself, and besides, my house is old and the yard is shaded leafy green with trees, so too much shade on the roof to be economically viable.
But yes, for young 'uns, the maths stack up.....

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4 hours ago, greysrigging said:

I fully agree with the installation of solar panels on principal.... In a very sunny place like Darwin, the take up rate on new dwellings would be 90% easy.
My Son and his Fiance got a nice tax refund of 8k and he spent the lot on a Solar system. I thought, 'mug'....
We have horrendous power costs in the Territory, everyone runs aircons 24/7 ( except me, I run a coupla slabs of beer a week, so I sleep well without aircon.... lol ). Anyways, families could easily spend $800 to $1000 a quarter on power bills.... mine comes in around $450 a quarter without aircons running.
My son's system covers his monthly bills and in fact he gets a credit from PAWA because his system is putting extra into the grid. He will save / pay off his outlay in 5 to 7 years he reckons.
Me... ? semi retired.... so bugger all income... not no way am I dropping 8 or 10k up front on a solar system.... I'll be dead ( maybe ) before it paid for itself, and besides, my house is old and the yard is shaded leafy green with trees, so too much shade on the roof to be economically viable.
But yes, for young 'uns, the maths stack up.....

Interesting,.. Curious, when referring to your electricity bill, is the reference to paying quarterly meaning you pay once every 4 months?  Curious since here, you pay monthly and a bill of $250. to $500. /$500+ ( USD) isn't uncommon for residents here during the summer months, esp. if you have a pool / run your air con all day / night. 

:greenthumb: Completely agree that planting of trees around a home or business is one of the best, and easiest ways to mitigate  the effects of heat, especially for those who might not enjoy the look of Solar Pannels on their property.. Even i can see how people find 'em ugly, lol.

Increasing tree cover is something that's also being debated a lot  more here since there are large areas around Phoenix where a beneficial level of tree canopy is lacking, or not present at all.  That's one reason I added a couple more Mesquites out back, most of which faces directly into the sun all afternoon during the summer.  If it were my house, I'd likely be adding different things, but.. Not about to plant something I won't get to appreciate later on. No irrigation out there anyway, homeowner doesn't want to install, so, planted what I know will survive with or without any extra water. 

Agree that solar isn't always the best investment for everyone and that there should be ways to make it more attractive / worth investing in.  That said, the technology will only get better, and more innovative. I saw some researchers based at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology( RMIT) are working on the idea of solar paint, which would be fairly cheap to install and more attractive than bulky pannels. Another company is refining their invention of window blinds, that produce solar power.. interesting ideas, and certainly not perfect, but working toward that goal.

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15 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Interesting,.. Curious, when referring to your electricity bill, is the reference to paying quarterly meaning you pay once every 4 months?  Curious since here, you pay monthly and a bill of $250. to $500. /$500+ ( USD) isn't uncommon for residents here during the summer months, esp. if you have a pool / run your air con all day / night. 

:greenthumb: Completely agree that planting of trees around a home or business is one of the best, and easiest ways to mitigate  the effects of heat, especially for those who might not enjoy the look of Solar Pannels on their property.. Even i can see how people find 'em ugly, lol.

Increasing tree cover is something that's also being debated a lot  more here since there are large areas around Phoenix where a beneficial level of tree canopy is lacking, or not present at all.  That's one reason I added a couple more Mesquites out back, most of which faces directly into the sun all afternoon during the summer.  If it were my house, I'd likely be adding different things, but.. Not about to plant something I won't get to appreciate later on. No irrigation out there anyway, homeowner doesn't want to install, so, planted what I know will survive with or without any extra water. 

Agree that solar isn't always the best investment for everyone and that there should be ways to make it more attractive / worth investing in.  That said, the technology will only get better, and more innovative. I saw some researchers based at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology( RMIT) are working on the idea of solar paint, which would be fairly cheap to install and more attractive than bulky pannels. Another company is refining their invention of window blinds, that produce solar power.. interesting ideas, and certainly not perfect, but working toward that goal.

So yeah, quarterly means every 3 months, so for the unaclimatised to out climate that is 3 to 4 thousand dollars a year on electricity ( as you say aircons, pool pump etc. ) The newer housing sub divisions in Darwin would be at least 90% solar panels on the roof. Our Territory Goverment provides generous rebates for home owners taking up Solar Panels.
As an aside, I'm out on a job at Timber Creek ( 600 klm south west of Darwin atm ). It is hot out in the field....

 

72953969_679989485822253_2266949185540456448_n.jpg

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Finally rain is turning up in the forecast. Last rain was 5.4mm on the 4th May 2019. Hot and dry since then. Average maximum for October so far is 38.9C. The last time that a maximum only got to 34C was back in August.

This time of year rain comes in small isolated storms, good if you're under one, not so good if it's beside you or even further away. Bit of a "lotto draw". However, just having lower temperatures and higher humidity will help the plants that haven't died.

Forecast191023.jpg.c5be63602392364f2e92b1b663756c85.jpg

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This time of year is weed growing season. There is still rain, and temps and daylight hours are on the rise. Been weed whacking and spraying like mad. The weeds seem to just grow before your very eyes. By this weekend I should have the place in control which is the earliest in the season I’ve been able to do it so far. 

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Millbrook, "Kinjarling" Noongar word meaning "Place of Rain", Rainbow Coast, Western Australia 35S. Warm temperate. Csb Koeppen Climate classification. Cool nights all year round.

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Christchurch just had its first 30 degree day of the season yesterday (Sunday)

Official airport (Christchurch West) recording was 31.6, I recorded 31.8 at my place, but there were unofficial temps recorded in the mid 30s all across the city.

393351601_Screenshot_20191103-125152_Weather(2).thumb.jpg.09771d2967fffdcaf279645ce851c61f.jpg

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For those interested, here is a dramatic view of how mountains affect the climate of NZ's south Island. In a space of just over 100 miles, two locations (both at sea level!!) are around 20 degrees different in temperature - this is due to the Fohn effect created by the Southern Alps, similar to the Chinook winds or Santa Ana winds of western North America.  This same phenomenon is also seen in places like Argentina/Chile, and Switzerland. @UK_Palms this may be of interest to you after our in depth climatic discussions on various forum posts!

964741395_Screenshot_20191104-112612_Photos(2).thumb.jpg.f80c7a1b6906c3fa4f9b64ec13059f51.jpg

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After a cool at times October, the whole of NZ is now in a zone of air that was heated over central/North Australia, I recorded 29C today which is quite obscene for so early in Nov given that there is no fohn effect up here, just the warm upper air and daytime solar heating got there, the closest official station got to 27C, but I'm another 15km inland and every bit counted. Until now all November records were from the last week of November which can be summer like, but several have been set yest/today on the 3rd and 4th!. If this pattern had come through 4 days earlier, in October, it would have smashed some October records  I'm sure.

However by Tuesday next week I see a high of 17 forecast, 3 below average after some rain. So back to some reality.  Already on a large rainfall deficit for the year, if blocking highs and persistent  mid 20's and above days and no rain were to start this early, shudder to think what things would be like by Jan.

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A few warm days coming up later in the week before cooling down again at the start of next week. It's been a funny spring, some very cool days and some very warm days, really up and down.

Screenshot_20191104-185847_Chrome.jpg

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Weather here has taken a big turn over the past week or so. End of October saw the first rain in 175 days and a subsequent drop in temperatures. Average maximum for October was 37.9C (for the first 4 days of November it's 34.8C).

The rain has been very hit and miss, best day was 38.8mm, amongst mainly single digit numbers. Up to today rainfall is running at 88% of average. Not bad as one direct hit, or miss, by a storm can throw the stats around quite a bit.

Forecast however is for a return of hot dry weather again for a while. Humidity should remain reasonably high (hopefully) which will keep the plants happier.

Forecast191105.jpg.551b25af3fe601d89d309ec2ccc5b7b0.jpg

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A 27C day today to follow yesterdays 29C with an insanely blue sky again.  This could be California except the eagle eye'd would notice the cars are parked on the "wrong" side of the street. My queen (not the one pictured, that was in a townhouse block on my lunchtime walk) is loving the heat, pushing out a new frond and the little  bit of yellowing of newer leaf tips that prompted me to apply  some liquid fert has greened up. It just needed the soil to warm I think. Its roots are in the shade year round.

 

20191105_125632.jpg

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No complaints in Leanyer.... first downpour of the season for us
76182765_559912204770541_2783940940195168256_n.png.d05de646e3ea7bcc6f546809fa191dbc.png
I'm working 600klm south west in Timber Creek. 40c day than an ominous storm brewed up.... for the sum total of 0.2mm rain ( sigh )
 360* view from our camp.
73288868_3042657279084354_8515397693730717696_n.jpg.f577dbdc0690a16d4863928452d0d28d.jpg73474991_3042657402417675_6849318139457437696_n.jpg.506ed6713ea2218349750899ad9b03f1.jpg73482837_3042657209084361_8297878757197217792_n.jpg.0e162ddd7d86e78550e733a584f0f5a9.jpg74205727_3042657092417706_959542874142146560_n.jpg.f80d57be881dd1669ad688a080039af5.jpg74322974_3042657149084367_10340747945443328_n.jpg.559c250a5a541151334660cbc279e745.jpg74617559_3042657325751016_1609681372341862400_n.jpg.3b5d38db57319e59fc621b90dd9b7529.jpg

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I wonder how  trees survive in a place like that but I guess they have had aeons to adapt and there might be subterranean water

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This is the locally common tree, Adansonia gregorii. The Australian Boab.
74189203_1403223639847697_2501104102369394688_n.jpg.2f4a6d54785284b88c53232c4729e244.jpg74537611_506469936573940_6583313162500571136_n.jpg.994965012af2b8a1b692053f6f411cd2.jpg75572114_569499387232876_9175004627723091968_n.jpg.92b69045fb1a164e19c52c227406b770.jpg77055273_1478670398951976_5539019902024679424_n.jpg.942866c2a42d0b0c94c928c760f66bb2.jpg
Very tough country out this way.... was 41c today, and any chance of rain seems to have disappeared with a dry surge from the south pushing through. 40c+ temps forecast for the next week.

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We may get into the high twenties on the weekend then we descend back into the teens again. Nights are consistently warming though with many in the low teens now.

Millbrook, "Kinjarling" Noongar word meaning "Place of Rain", Rainbow Coast, Western Australia 35S. Warm temperate. Csb Koeppen Climate classification. Cool nights all year round.

 

 

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On 11/6/2019 at 9:09 PM, greysrigging said:

This is the locally common tree, Adansonia gregorii. The Australian Boab.
74189203_1403223639847697_2501104102369394688_n.jpg.2f4a6d54785284b88c53232c4729e244.jpg74537611_506469936573940_6583313162500571136_n.jpg.994965012af2b8a1b692053f6f411cd2.jpg75572114_569499387232876_9175004627723091968_n.jpg.92b69045fb1a164e19c52c227406b770.jpg77055273_1478670398951976_5539019902024679424_n.jpg.942866c2a42d0b0c94c928c760f66bb2.jpg
Very tough country out this way.... was 41c today, and any chance of rain seems to have disappeared with a dry surge from the south pushing through. 40c+ temps forecast for the next week.

Those trunks are like giant water bottles I would assume.

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Close to an all time Nov record at the nearest official site 28.3, 28.5 on my station. Max sun all day and didn't have the coolish start like earlier in the week, was over 20 by 9am. Going to feel dam right cold next week when highs return the the high teens for a while.

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Brutal day again out on our Bridge demolition job....humid in the early morning then just hot all day afterwards. Another low level heatwave over the North West of the NT.
71710185_2431478973572393_4106979880283930624_n.jpg.b83ee83c6c94d46a0a1a7dc0298923d5.jpg73341421_420621675556739_8156358167454810112_n.jpg.0707726f27e225a326dd3046354d6598.jpg

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On 11/6/2019 at 12:09 AM, greysrigging said:

This is the locally common tree, Adansonia gregorii. The Australian Boab.
74189203_1403223639847697_2501104102369394688_n.jpg.2f4a6d54785284b88c53232c4729e244.jpg74537611_506469936573940_6583313162500571136_n.jpg.994965012af2b8a1b692053f6f411cd2.jpg75572114_569499387232876_9175004627723091968_n.jpg.92b69045fb1a164e19c52c227406b770.jpg77055273_1478670398951976_5539019902024679424_n.jpg.942866c2a42d0b0c94c928c760f66bb2.jpg
Very tough country out this way.... was 41c today, and any chance of rain seems to have disappeared with a dry surge from the south pushing through. 40c+ temps forecast for the next week.

The bottle tree.

5 year high 42.2C/108F (07/06/2018)--5 year low 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)--Lowest recent/current winter: 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)

 

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Any chance of rain for a while has gone now with a hot dry surge pushing through. The rainfall will drop down well below average if there's no rain during the next week or two. The average maximum temperature for November up to today is 35.8C but will be creeping up over the coming week.

Forecast191111.jpg.899b86f7359f66e4730c2f0caf483b0d.jpg

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Had a 30.5C max on Saturday. Today the max is sitting just above 16C.

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Millbrook, "Kinjarling" Noongar word meaning "Place of Rain", Rainbow Coast, Western Australia 35S. Warm temperate. Csb Koeppen Climate classification. Cool nights all year round.

 

 

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We hit our 35C yesterday. Today we made 28C. Our temps have changed. We are approaching winter. I doubt we will see 35c temps until next year.

 

5 year high 42.2C/108F (07/06/2018)--5 year low 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)--Lowest recent/current winter: 4.6C/40.3F (1/19/2023)

 

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Saturday was a bit unpleasant at 40c, it's cooler today around 31c but will be warming up during the week again. The strong easterly on Saturday was terrible, you could almost see the plants crisping up.

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6 hours ago, sandgroper said:

Saturday was a bit unpleasant at 40c, it's cooler today around 31c but will be warming up during the week again. The strong easterly on Saturday was terrible, you could almost see the plants crisping up.

Wow. 15C difference over 330km in a straight line. I see Perth is still 22C after 10pm and we are just under 11C. I’ve got the fire raging.

Millbrook, "Kinjarling" Noongar word meaning "Place of Rain", Rainbow Coast, Western Australia 35S. Warm temperate. Csb Koeppen Climate classification. Cool nights all year round.

 

 

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7 hours ago, Tyrone said:

Wow. 15C difference over 330km in a straight line. I see Perth is still 22C after 10pm and we are just under 11C. I’ve got the fire raging.

Wow! That's a big difference!

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The Southern Ocean air conditioner is always on down here..

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Millbrook, "Kinjarling" Noongar word meaning "Place of Rain", Rainbow Coast, Western Australia 35S. Warm temperate. Csb Koeppen Climate classification. Cool nights all year round.

 

 

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Another contrasting day of temps between Perth and the south coast. Today Perth is heading for 37C and Albany is heading for 19C max. Overnight the RH down here has been sitting on 100%. It’s around 14C and 100% humidity and dead calm around 7am and Perth is already 26C. Totally different climate especially at this time of year.

Millbrook, "Kinjarling" Noongar word meaning "Place of Rain", Rainbow Coast, Western Australia 35S. Warm temperate. Csb Koeppen Climate classification. Cool nights all year round.

 

 

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It is 3.15pm, I'm sitting out the front of my daughter's school in my ex military Royal Australian Army Perentie, no air con, it's 38c and springtime. Not looking forward to the warm weather kicking in! 

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And to the men and women of the NSW rural fire service and to all firies there helping them and the Queenslanders, you are all hero's, I'm in awe of you people with the job you do and the conditions you do it in. 

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Out on my demolition job today.... hard on man and beast.... even the flies take a shade break above the old 110f.
75573790_2592124457548052_3645275556003446784_n.jpg.88949402f44a666ff24190db6f33ce2f.jpg

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Perth had a record day yesterday. 40.4C which is the hottest November and Spring day since records began in 1897.

Down here was a mid twenties day. At 8am the sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky and it’s 21C but the sea breeze is already in. Perfect weather to continue constructing my new shadehouse.

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Millbrook, "Kinjarling" Noongar word meaning "Place of Rain", Rainbow Coast, Western Australia 35S. Warm temperate. Csb Koeppen Climate classification. Cool nights all year round.

 

 

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Rain is back in the forecast and it'll be cooling down again as well. Currently rainfall is running at just over 80% of average. However, although the IOD (Indian Ocean Dipole) weakened recently it's still strongly positive and the monsoon isn't expected until later in January.

Forecast191118.jpg.b10d6be7be096744d1184f44c6afd0f7.jpg

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Pretty incredible severe thunderstorms and a tornado here today. No where near US level... But still scary. Buildings lost rooves and cars thrown around in carparks.

1574046905519.jpg.a75221388afe4f4afce9d387aaf23246.jpg20191118_134711.thumb.jpg.1bdd1a4f6b751f298a4fd55aecefd1cd.jpg416375a3-e4e5-4c02-94ff-28653fd9c0d1_400.jpg.5113d7be822be074c9263f1817ac0031.jpg20191118_134643.thumb.jpg.4b272da0e1f218a43055361d53335245.jpg

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

The synoptic charts looked virtually stalled for about a week. A high to our sw is just sitting virtually stationary off the coast. Mild cool weather is the result.

Millbrook, "Kinjarling" Noongar word meaning "Place of Rain", Rainbow Coast, Western Australia 35S. Warm temperate. Csb Koeppen Climate classification. Cool nights all year round.

 

 

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Stuck pattern will give Victoria and Tasmania a long cool spell, even  snow on high ground.  But here will stay in a warm flow the whole time.  It's the SSW lottery as coined by a poster on a NZ weather forum. I recorded 29.9C at home last Saturday and it's been well above average since, and looks set to continue till the end of next week, even with some rain at times.

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