Saturday 24th of August 9.50a.m. Sunny. 16.7 / 20.4kph NE, Hg 49%, 17.5C / 63.5F top of 25C / 77F. Shower or two, then sunny.
Moon is 76.1%
Battle of the seasons erupts across Australia with record winter warmth and thunderstorms followed by polar blast and snow
2 hours 50 mins ago
By ABC meteorologist Tom Saunders
Warmer-than-normal temperatures were recorded all across Australia this week. But forecasts of a polar blast could mean an icy end to winter. (ABC News: Berge Breiland)
Winter records are tumbling in multiple states as temperatures across Australia soar up to 17 degrees Celsius above the August average.
The unseasonable heat will also provide the fuel for a rare outbreak of winter thunderstorms, peaking across Victoria on Sunday when dangerous winds could uproot trees and cut power.
And while the prolonged spell of abnormal warmth will linger into next week, a blast of polar air may follow through the last days of winter, bringing ferocious gales, a sudden temperature drop, and much needed snow to the highlands.