August 18th 2024.
This month, Queensland has been experiencing a taste of spring with warm temperatures and a unique weather system. The combination of a high-pressure system and a strong westerly airflow has allowed temperatures to reach 30 degrees or higher in the eastern and southeastern regions of the state, even as winter comes to a close.
In Brisbane, the mercury reached a high of 29.5 degrees, the warmest day since March and the hottest August day since 2018. And it wasn't just Brisbane that was feeling the heat. Other cities like Mackay saw a high of 28.4 degrees, the warmest day since April and the hottest August day since 2018. Coolangatta also reached a high of 28.4 degrees, the warmest day since April 2024 and the hottest August day since 2009.
But what made these conditions even more unusual was the appearance of a long atmospheric gravity wave. This impressive phenomenon was captured by the Himawari-9 satellite, revealing a cloud formation stretching over 2500km from the Whitsundays in Australia to far northwest New Zealand. As it moved east, it appeared in two distinct cloud bands, resembling the ripples created by a stone being thrown into a pond.
Atmospheric gravity waves occur when a disturbance in the atmosphere causes waves to form and travel upwards. In this case, it is likely that severe thunderstorms in the western cloud band triggered the wave, which then aligned with a cold front as it moved east of Lord Howe Island.
Looking ahead, the temperatures in southeast Queensland are expected to cool down from today, with some showers forecasted for tomorrow. It seems like the state is bidding farewell to the spring-like temperatures and returning to a more mild climate. But for a brief moment, Queensland was blessed with warm weather and a stunning atmospheric display, making it a memorable end to winter.
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