Sydney has been having an unusual period of balmy weather suitable for beaching thanks to the presence of unusually warm waters just offshore which have kept the coolness at bay during the latter part of the fall season.
Average daytime temperatures recorded in the city throughout this week have ranged from 22 degrees to 24 °C, a few degrees warmer than the average temperature of 19.6 degrees expected at this time of year.
With just two weeks until the start of winter, locals have been relishing in a number of activities which may be slightly unusual for the mid May period.
The source of all this warmth can be attributed to the Tasman Sea.
The East Australian Current, which channels warm currents from the Coral Sea, has created several eddies of unusually warm water around the coastline of New South Wales.
Temperatures in these pools have been recorded as up to four degrees above normal.
According to data released by the Bureau of Meteorology, waters off the coasts of New South Wales and Eastern Tasmania reached temperatures three to four degrees above average for the week ending 10 May.
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Onshore winds across the Tasman are picking up moisture and warmth before hitting the coast, lifting overnight minimums and pushing showers over the ranges.
Sydney has enjoyed its warmest start to May in eight years, averaging more than three degrees higher than the norm for the first 13 days of the month.
Beaches still in play
Even surfers and swimmers have been enjoying their benefits, as water temperatures at city beaches are just slightly higher than what they should be at this time of year, making for a less dramatic seasonal cooling trend at iconic locations like Bondi, Bronte and Manly.
It is also forecasted that this weather pattern will continue for the rest of the week, as maximums will not rise above the low twenties.
Changes are however expected after this week, as cold fronts approaching from the south will bring lower temperatures further north; however, as mentioned before, the overall warm ocean water temperatures could keep pushing up temperatures for some time to come.
According to the Bureau’s medium range forecast, there is a high likelihood that winter in Australia will see significantly warmer ocean temperatures along the coasts, with the Tasman Sea being one of them.
But for now, Sydneysiders are enjoying a quiet final lap of autumn before winter really kicks in.
