Cold change sends temperatures plummeting

Prepare to shiver as a cold front bites across parts of south and eastern Australia. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

IF YOU struggled to get out of your warm bed this morning it wasn’t just because you’re a wuss. A cold front has sent the mercury plummeting.

The weather system, which is moving north along the New South Wales coast, has pretty much brought an end to that state’s run of warm days.

It is also to blame for temperatures struggling to reach double digits in many parts of the country.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the cold front stretches to a broad low pressure centre over the Tasman Sea, resulting in a big change in our weather system.

BOM senior forecaster Scott Williams said the cold front has hit South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, Victoria and NSW.

While cold fronts aren’t rare for this time of year, Mr Williams said it was a particularly strong system which had pushed warm humid air to central and Northern Australia.

“It’s a strong front and is definitely the start of our cooler weather,” he said.

“It first hit South Australia which has had some pretty cold weather, but has also hit Victoria resulting in heavy rain and Tasmania which copped frost.

“Temperatures in Launceston were 6C this morning and there was even snow in the highlands.”

Today's wintry change will result in below average temperatures for much of the country into next week. Latest at: https://t.co/ByG5YyVjFH pic.twitter.com/3tWwnzk2mf

— BOM Australia (@BOM_au) April 26, 2017

NEW SOUTH WALES:

Sydney shivered through a cool morning with the mercury sitting below 10C in some places.

Badgerys Creek recorded a chilly 7.9C at 6am while Mt Boyce recorded a low of 3.4C.

The temperature in Sydney is expected to top 19C today.

While Sydney can expect lows of between 10-15 over the next few days.

The CBD can expect a top of 21C tomorrow, 23C on Saturday and 22C and showers clearing on Sunday.

Dangerous #surf and gale force #wind for much of NSW coast today, find our marine wind warnings at https://t.co/AOa6KEm2Fv #NSWweather

— BOM New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) April 26, 2017

VICTORIA:

An icy winter blast has hit the state, with snow already falling across some Victorian ski resorts.

Melbourne woke to another cold morning after the cold front sent temperatures spiralling, also bringing more rain.

Mr Williams said Melbourne has recorded 122mm of rain so far this month.

“We’ve had totals of 57mm recorded in the past three days which is pretty much the average rainfall for April,” he said.

A low of 6.8C was recorded at Melbourne Airport at 6am this morning while Ferny Creek was a cool 5.4C.

The city is expected to hit a top of 15C today with showers.

More showers are predicted for tomorrow and across the weekend until Tuesday.

The CBD can expect lows of between 9-12C over the next few days with highs of 18C until Sunday.

Melbourne can expect a bit more of this over the next few days. Picture: Nicole GarmstonSource:News Corp Australia

QUEENSLAND

While daytime temperatures will remain pleasant across the Sunshine State, Queensland is still in for some cold times.

Mr Williams said the cold front system has also pushed into southeastern parts of the state meaning chilling mornings and nights for Brisbane and the coast.

Brisbane can expect a chilly 10C expected on Friday morning.

But that will feel __like summer compared to those living in the inland town of Toowoomba, who woke up to a cool 6C today.

#Brr, feel sorry for the #Toowoomba folks who've been getting ready for work in these wintery conditions. Feels-like temperature 0 to 2C. pic.twitter.com/CwBbJt0mY4

— BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) April 26, 2017

Brisbane can expect a sunny top of 22C today.

The city can expect lows of between 10-15C for the next few days with highs of 25 and 26C.

Ebony Lee is ready for the cold weather that is expected to hit the Gold Coast. Picture: Jerad WilliamsSource:News Corp Australia

debra.killalea@news.com.au

What's Wrong With Our Weather?50:43

Across the world weather seems to be becoming more extreme. But why? Could it all be down to a phenomenon called the jet stream? Could it be blamed for everything from Hurricane Sandy to the recent freezing winters?

• July 15th 2015
• 2 years ago
• /video/video.news.com.au/News/