Melbourne experienced its coldest morning of the year on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, with temperatures dropping as low as 1°C at Olympic Park. The cold spell, attributed to a high-pressure ridge over southeast Australia, has also affected other regions, with some areas recording temperatures below -5°C.
Melbourne experienced its coldest morning of the year on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. The temperature at Olympic Park dropped to 1°C at 7:29 am, marking the coldest morning since 2022, when 0.8°C was recorded. Suburbs such as Scoresby and Moorabbin saw temperatures plummet to approximately -1.5°C, while Melbourne Airport recorded -0.7°C. Mountainous regions like Mount Hotham reached -5.2°C, with other areas like Ballarat, Latrobe Valley, Rutherglen, Wangaratta, and East Sale experiencing temperatures below -2°C.
Helen Reid, a meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), attributed the cold spell to a high-pressure ridge over southeast Australia. The clear skies and light winds have facilitated the significant drop in temperatures. The BoM forecasts continued frosty mornings throughout the week, predicting Melbourne’s coldest week in 11 years if temperatures remain at or below 5°C.
The chilly conditions extend beyond Melbourne, with Alice Springs Airport recording -1.8°C and Hobart Airport dropping to 1.3°C. Launceston Airport experienced its coldest morning in five years at -4.3°C. Adelaide Airport saw a low of 0.5°C. Canberra is expected to face morning frost and minimum temperatures of 0°C over the weekend.
While Victoria anticipates more clear skies and some snowy conditions at higher elevations, Sydney and Brisbane brace for continued wet weather. Perth will see a mix of sun and showers over the coming days.
