Sydney and Melbourne Experience Record-Breaking Warm Winters Across Australia
Sydney recorded its warmest winter ever, while Melbourne matched its hottest winter, and three eastern states also set temperature records.
Australia's two largest cities saw unprecedented winter warmth, with Sydney's mean temperature hitting 15.3°C, a new record, and Melbourne equalling its 2005 peak of 12.2°C. Canberra experienced its highest winter maximum, averaging 14.7°C, while New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania each recorded their warmest winters. The Bureau of Meteorology noted that the national winter average was 1.45°C above the 1961-1990 norm, ranking as the equal third-highest since 1910.
Experts linked the trend to persistent high-pressure systems over the Tasman Sea, a strengthening El Niño, and the broader backdrop of global warming. Rainfall was uneven, with southern inland areas seeing above-average precipitation and parts of the east coast remaining dry. Forecasts suggest continued above-average temperatures and mixed rainfall patterns into spring.
Why it matters
Record winter heat signals accelerating climate change impacts on Australian ecosystems and water resources.
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