Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharpe has explained how the low pressure system surging up from South Australia could hit Sydney with another rainy weekend and possibly deliver the coldest morning in six years.
Australians were warned earlier this week to brace for a “bitterly cold” morning on Wednesday as the mercury plunges to what could be the coldest day of the year so far.
However, Sharpe warned the weather could get even colder on Thursday.
Sharpe said the low pressure system off the east coast Australia has been lingering “for ages” and has brought “really big waves” and cold southerly winds in recent days.
“Now the low is moving away and, calming down, it is allowing the temperature to drop further in the morning,” he said.
“That’s why tomorrow morning is likely to be colder than this morning.”
Sharpe pointed to another low pressure system emerging below South Australia, which is expected to cross over into New South Wales in a few days.
He explained there was a thin high pressure ridge stretching up and down New South Wales, situated between the two lows, which was causing the plunging temperatures in the mornings.
“We’ve got a thin ridge of high pressure in between the two lows, and when you’ve got a slim ridge like this, that’s when you get your coldest mornings,” Sharpe said.
Sharpe said snow was possible on Thursday and Friday morning across the highest parts of the central plateau.
“Up around Oberon we could get some snow tomorrow,” he said.
The meteorologist explained the low pressure system entering South Australia on Wednesday will bring showers before it crosses into the south-east.
“Parts of Sydney could have another wet weekend – six out of the last seven weekends in Sydney have had some heavy falls, so lots of sport has been cancelled and that could play out again this weekend,” Sharpe said.
“This low that’s in South Australia will go overland and produce a little bit of rain.
“Chance of a shower on Friday in Sydney, but as that low goes off the coast and strengthens, southerly winds will probably guide some more showers onto the New South Wales coast on Saturday and Sunday.”
After Wednesday was reported as the coldest of the year so far for several cities, Sharpe said Thursday morning would be as cold “if not colder”.
“Today was six degrees, tomorrow is forecast for five, if it goes slightly under five, to four-point-something, then it will be the coldest morning in six years for Sydney,” he said.
“Sydney could have it’s coldest morning in six years tomorrow, depending on how cold it gets.”