July 18th 2024.
An intense cold front has hit southeastern Australia, bringing with it wintry weather that is expected to last through the weekend. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning for several states, including South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, the south coast of Western Australia, and the ACT, as strong gusts of wind are forecasted.
The initial impact of the windy blast will be felt in South Australia, particularly in the Mount Lofty Ranges and coastal areas, starting early today. This is due to the cold front that is sweeping across the state. According to the bureau, the average wind speed of about 60km/h will gradually increase to damaging gusts of up to 100 km/h later today and into tomorrow. In addition to the strong winds, some areas may also experience heavy rain, hail, and even snow.
Cities such as Adelaide, Port Lincoln, Ceduna, Kingscote, Victor Harbor, and Meningie are expected to bear the brunt of the severe weather. Meanwhile, Victoria's northeast alpine region and the Grampians will also face damaging winds of up to 100km/h, along with the possibility of blizzards later today. As the cold front moves up the coast, the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales and the ACT will also be affected by the strong winds.
According to forecasters, the cause of this severe weather is a change in the jetstream that is currently hanging over Australia. For those who may not know, jetstreams are bands of fast-moving air that sit about 10km above the surface. They usually flow from west to east and are located between regions with different temperatures. However, starting yesterday, the jetstream over Australia began to bend and flow in a more north-to-south direction. This phenomenon is known as a meridional pattern and is typically associated with extreme hot or cold weather.
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