04/12/2011: Thunderstorms are helping Sydney achieve its coolest start to summer in 51 years, according to weatherzone.com.au.

Thunderstorms rolled across the city late this morning and early afternoon, cooling most suburbs below 17 degrees, well below average for this time of year. The storms also brought brief rain and hail to some western and northern suburbs. Picnickers and beach-goers were sent scurrying.

"In the first four days of this summer, Sydney has now failed to reach 23 degrees, making it the coolest start in 44 years," Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutschke said.

"The city is on target for its coolest start to summer in 51 years with none of the next three days expected to reach 23 degrees," Dutschke said.

In the summer of 1960, each of the first 10 days were cooler than 22 degrees.

Sydney should warm to the mid twenties on Friday and next weekend, the eight, ninth and tenth days of the month. The city's long-term average maximum for this time of year is 25 degrees.

"Apart from today, there hasn't been a shortage of sunshine. We averaged nine hours in each of the first three days of this season. It has been southerly winds which have kept Sydney so cool. For the rest of this week, though, cloud will be a feature."

"Looking further ahead, the summer as a whole is likely to be close to or cooler than average, regarding maximum temperatures. We will still get our hot days but La Nina will increase the chances of extra cloud, humidity and rainfall, hence cooler daytime temperatures," Dutschke said.

Media Inquiries:

Brett Dutschke
media@weatherzone.com.au
02 9965 9269

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