Battle of Seasons in Australia with Record Winter Warmth

Winter Weather in Australia 

This winter has been freezing and stormy in the south and east of Australia. On the other hand, both the region and the world have kept getting warmer.

What's going on? There are only so many reasons for weather events, as always. However, an event that happens high above Antarctica is a key player. A warmth may have set off this event on the plains of the frozen continent.

Our story starts with the cold air above Antarctica. In July, it's usually around -80C in the stratosphere, the layer of air between 10 and 50 miles above the earth's surface. The winds are also powerful; in the winter, they average around 300 km/h. There is a swirl of cold, fast winds above the pole. It is called the stratospheric polar blast.

Sometimes, long-lasting high air pressure in the lower atmosphere can change big waves worldwide and into the stratosphere. They slow down the strong winds and make the air above the pole much warmer than usual.

In the worst cases, the winds in the stratosphere can stop working altogether. This is known as a "sudden stratospheric warming" event.

Polar Blast in Australia

A polar blast, also known as a polar vortex or circumpolar vortex, refers to a wind pattern that surrounds a region of exceptionally frigid air. It is present at both the North and South Poles.

The phenomenon is commonly referred to as a polar vortex, as the air circulation pattern, characterised by an anticlockwise swirling motion, tends to confine the cold air near the poles, resembling a whirlpool with a barrier around the frigid air.

At times, alterations in weather patterns result in the breach of this fence, allowing a forceful gust of frigid air from the Antarctic to travel northward towards Australia. Consequently, our temperature experiences a significant drop.

The term "Polar Blast" has gained significant popularity in recent years. The polar vortex is not fictional but a genuine and powerful weather phenomenon that can impact many people. This phenomenon occurs year-round and sporadically impacts Australia's severity of winter weather.

In the southern hemisphere, during winter, a region of intensified westerly winds forms in the stratosphere above the south pole. This region is known as the polar vortex. The stratosphere contains a significant amount of icy air.  

Sudden Stratospheric Warming in Australia

Sudden Stratospheric Warming refers to a temperature increase in the stratosphere, which indicates the potential weakening or disruption of the polar blast in Australia.

It should be noted that an SSW event does not guarantee a significant disruption of the polar vortex that would impact Australian weather regimes. The ongoing SSW event in the southern hemisphere appears limited to the stratosphere and has not extended into the lower troposphere or towards the earth's surface.

However, there is a possibility of experiencing windy and snowy weather in the upcoming weeks. It is advisable to stay informed about the forecasts the BOM provides.

Effects of Extreme Weather in Australia

In the five years leading up to 2024, climate change and extreme weather have shown how vulnerable people, ecosystems, wildlife, marine and freshwater systems, and other natural resources are.

Climate Change: The climate system in Australia is experiencing a series of changes due to an increasing amount of greenhouse gases in the air. The climate will change because of greenhouse gases that have already been released, but how much it changes in the second half of the 21st century will depend on how much more is released into the atmosphere. 

Heatwaves: Across the country, there is a general trend towards a lot more days that are very hot. For example, in Victoria, the number of days a year when the temperature reached 45C rose from 0.3 in 1961-2000 to 2.6 in 2011-2022. (Data Source: CSIRO & BOM)

Bushfires: Due to the interaction between drought and heatwaves, Australia has more high-fire weather days. Fire seasons are also getting longer, and bushfires are happening more often, more severely, and less predictably.

Battle of Seasons in Australia with Record Winter Warmth  

Because of the unusually high temperatures, there was a storm over southeast Australia on August 25th. This doesn't happen often in the winter because the surface temperatures are usually too cold for rising air to cause storm clouds.

There are even signs that the atmosphere could support violent storms as tropical moisture from the north meets an approaching front. This happens a lot more in the spring.

Solid storm cells are expected to pass over Victoria. Winds up to 200 km/h could cause dangerous gusts of over 100 km/h on the ground. The wind can topple trees, damage property, or even knock out the power at this speed.

Along the border, severe storms may also hit parts of eastern South Australia and southern New South Wales. These storms may bring lightning and heavy rain for a short time. Melbourne and Canberra are most likely to get storms. The thunderstorm zone then moves to the northeast of New South Wales on September 2nd, but there are fewer and mostly mild.

Summer Heat in Winter  

This week, a few towns in the middle of Australia have already broken their winter marks.

It was so warm in rural South Australia on August 30th that it was almost as warm as midsummer. Temperatures were up to 16C above the normal for August. Because of this, old winter records were wiped out, such as:

(Data Source: ABC News)

The slowly building air mass will strengthen in the next few days, causing maximum temperatures to rise to record highs in the centre and north. This will put many state and national records at risk.

From Sunday on, some parts of the Kimberley could even be warmer than 40C, which would beat the current Australian winter record of 41.2C.

(Data Source: ABC News)

While the north and interior get hot, a north-westerly airstream will bring hot air to the eastern states this weekend. In northern Victoria and NSW, temperatures will be up to 12C higher than usual.

On September 2nd, the storm-causing cold front will lower temperatures a few degrees across SA, Victoria, and rural NSW. On Tuesday, however, there will be a new round of north-westerly winds.

This will keep the heat up along the east coast all week. On September 4th, it will be the hottest in Sydney at 27C, and on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, it will be the hottest in Brisbane at 32C.

Weather Changes This Winter  

Unpicking exactly why any weather event occurs is difficult because global weather has been insane over the last year or two. Global temperatures are significantly higher than average, making unexpected weather more common.

However, there is evidence that the stratosphere is having an impact on our weather this winter.

The stratospheric polar blast in Australia began to warm in mid-July and is now roughly 20 degrees Celsius warmer than the long-term norm. At the time of writing, the winds had decreased to around 230 kilometres per hour, 70 miles per hour less than the normal.

These results indicate that the incident is not a sudden stratospheric warming. However, further warming may occur.  

The weather we see daily in Australia is caused by interactions between high and low-pressure zones near the earth's surface. Clouds and rain generally form as air converges on these low-pressure systems.

Of course, there's more to it than that, but the location and strength of high and low-pressure systems near Australia significantly impact our everyday weather.

How to Prepare for Extreme Weather

As the temperature drops and a polar vortex brings the fear of cold weather your way, protecting your home from the harsh heat or cold is essential. Becoming proactive can keep your home safe and give you peace of mind. Here are some things you can do to battle seasons in Australia to protect your home and family.

Step 1: Keep Warm

The most important thing is physical safety. Make sure you have a lot of clothes and blankets ready in case the polar storm causes the power grid and your home to get very cold. Before the power goes out, you can prepare your house by insulating it. With window inserts, you add a second layer to your window frames to help keep warm air inside and cold air outside during the winter.

Step 2: Maintain Water & Food

You might not be able to get fresh water if the power goes out. Please ensure you have enough water to drink, wash, and flush. To stay healthy, it's essential to keep your hands clean. Each person in your house should have several gallons of water.

If deficient rain knocks out power for a long time, you can fill your bathtub with water and use that when you need to. Any bathing water saved during a storm should always be boiled before it is used.

Ensure you have a lot of good food that will go well. Have a lot of food that doesn't need to be cooked and ready to eat in case the power goes out. Some shops and restaurants may be closed even if the power isn't out. 

Step 3: Prepare for Your Home

Here are some things you can do to keep your home safe from extreme weather:

Check Furnace: Contact a professional HVAC technician to prepare your system for the season. Also, if your heater filter is dirty, get a new one. For 1" filters, change it at least every three months. For 4" filters, do it once a year.

Clean Chimney: It's perfect to curl up with a book and a coffee in front of the fireplace. Get your chimney checked out and swept by a professional before the first get-together by the fire. If the flue is blocked, there may not be enough airflow, which can cause creosote to build up and carbon monoxide to enter your house.

Prevent Frozen Pipes: One important thing you can do to keep your pipes safe is to drain water from outside sources like swimming pools, water sprinkler supply lines, and hoses. As extra safety measures, you could insulate your attics and basements, cover any exposed water pipes with a "pipe sleeve" or UL-listed "heat tape," "heat cable," or similar materials, or even move the pipes that are exposed.

Keep The Outside of Your House Clear: Clear snow and ice as much as possible off your steps, sidewalks, and car. If something goes wrong, you'll need to be able to get to your car quickly. Run it every once in a while. You can find road salt at most shops. It's suitable for driveways.

When it's freezing outside, like during a polar storm, please don't stay out for more than a few minutes. Being outside in icy weather for a short time can harm your health.

Notice The Heaters Indoor: These can save lives during a big winter storm, but you should always leave them alone and for a short time. Remove the plug from your lamps and turn them off when you leave the room or go to bed. Two people should ensure that gas stoves and portable heaters are always turned off when unused.

Step 4: Pack Emergency Kit

An emergency bag is essential in an emergency or natural disaster. It provides items that you might need in case of a power outage or an emergency evacuation from your home.  

When packing your box, think about how you would survive if you were cut off from the internet, drinking water, power, and other necessities for up to three days. The following things are in the emergency kit:

Jackery Solar Generators provide a dependable and environmentally responsible solution for powering critical electronics during emergencies. Their portability, solar charging capabilities, and diverse power outputs can dramatically improve your ability to stay connected, safe, and prepared in severe weather.

Jackery Solar Generators for Emergencies

The Jackery Solar Generator can be a backup power source if any emergency happens, making life much easier when you don't have control. These generators use solar energy to offer clean and sustainable electricity, allowing you to charge essential devices and keep critical systems operational when regular power sources are unavailable. 

When there is a power outage or any other emergency, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus and Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus will keep you and your family running. Both comprise SolarSaga solar panels and portable power stations from the Explorer series.

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus has an expandable 1.25-5 kWh capacity. The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus has a battery that can be expanded from 2 kWh to 12 kWh. 

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus is the best home backup power supply due to its exceptional output. It can aid in home emergencies and other emergencies. It is the all-in-one solar generator for your life due to its versatility and size.

Supports up to three additional battery packs, bringing the total capacity to 5kWh and providing 1-3 days of home backup power. A solar generator can power your communication devices, medical equipment, refrigerators, etc., bringing reliability and convenience. Stay connected and keep critical devices running with reliable backup power, assuring safety and convenience in an emergency.

The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus portable power station, with a 10-year lifespan and a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, provides a consistent voltage and pure sine wave to ensure the safety of all your electrical gadgets. Additionally, the innovative ChargeShield technology and consistent power delivery avoid equipment damage.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Solar Generator 2000 Plus by Jackery significantly enhances the available choices for portable electricity with its exceptional performance. With its substantial capacity and formidable power output, this device can provide electricity for basic home needs. 

Adding battery cells to the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus enhances its capacity from 2 kWh to 12 kWh, leading to a significant transformation in providing backup power for households.

The Explorer 2000 Plus has a maximum power output of 3000W, 30% greater than other 2 kWh models with similar specifications. Also, the Solar Generator 2000 Plus is commonly used; it can achieve a complete charge within 6 hours by utilising six SolarSaga 100W solar panels. The power source achieves self-sufficiency by harnessing solar energy rather than relying on the power grid for charging.

The supplementary battery pack can be recharged using solar panels, offering increased versatility while enhancing charging efficacy and reducing time consumption. Jackery Solar Panels have an impressive solar conversion efficiency of up to 25%, generating more energy during its lifespan.

Battle of Seasons in Australia FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about the battle of seasons in Australia:

1. What is sudden stratospheric warming in Australia?

During extreme situations, the stratospheric winds have the potential to completely break down, resulting in what scientists refer to as a "sudden stratospheric warming" event. Events like these are rare in the northern hemisphere, happening only every few years. However, it's worth noting that in 2019, an exceptional event was observed in the southern hemisphere.

2. Will it snow in Australia in 2024?

Australia's 2024 season has experienced a significant reset this weekend, as it has witnessed the largest snowfall of the year. The resorts have received significant snowfall, with up to 60cm (2 feet) reported. This, combined with the 20-30cm (8-12") fall at the beginning of last week, brings the 7-day total to nearly a metre.

3. How long does a sudden stratospheric warming last?

Observations in the stratosphere reveal a swift increase in temperature, reaching around 50C within a few days, occurring between 10km and 50km above the earth's surface.

Final Thoughts

In recent years, the phrase "extreme weather" has gained significant popularity as a description of the extremely cold or hot temperatures that occur during the winter months in various parts of Australia. 

Taking precautions to protect your home from extreme weather events is essential, as they can have severe health consequences and even be fatal. After ensuring that your home and family are ready for the polar blast, it's crucial also to be prepared to assist others in your community. Additionally, it is advisable to include a Jackery Solar Generator in your emergency bag as a reliable backup power source for unforeseen situations.