August 20th 2024.
In the past three weeks, the southern hemisphere has been experiencing an unprecedented warm spell. The air temperatures have been consistently running about one degree above the average, which is more typical of spring rather than winter. This information has been gathered from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, which has been recording new surface air temperature records on a daily basis between July 19 and August 10.
When comparing these temperatures to the climate between 1991 and 2020, it has been found that they are approximately 0.6 degrees higher than the average during this 23-day period. This is quite significant and has raised concerns among meteorologists about the effects of climate change. It is believed that the warm air sitting above Antarctica is the main contributor to this mid-winter warmth.
Interestingly, there have been extreme fluctuations in both air temperatures and sea ice coverage in the Antarctic region in recent weeks. From August 2 to August 9, new surface air temperature records were set every day, while the area of sea ice is currently at its second lowest level on record for this time of year. This is a clear indication that the effects of climate change are not only limited to one particular region.
As we enter spring in the southern hemisphere, it is expected that the abnormally warm air above Antarctica will linger for a while longer. This is due to the anticipated stratospheric warming above the South Pole. In the meantime, large parts of eastern Australia are experiencing a sudden shift in weather as they head towards a spring-like day. The forecast for today shows that Sydney will have a sunny day with a top temperature of 25 degrees, while Brisbane will reach a high of 26 degrees. Melbourne, on the other hand, can expect a few showers and a maximum temperature of 19 degrees.
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