This August is rapidly turning into one of the coldest on record for Australia with temperatures averaging as much as five degrees below normal. Some of the more notable extremes on Wednesday included minimums of minus nine at Glen Innes, minus seven at Inverell and minus five in Tamworth. Frost has even spread to central Queensland with Clermont recording five consecutive mornings below two for the first time in August in over 45 years. Daytime has brought little relief with Orange shivering through six consecutive days below seven degrees for the first time in August in over 30 years. The prolonged cold spell is the result of a persistent southerly airstream, a pattern likely to continue over most of the country for the next 10 days. The cold weather is a blessing for ski resorts which are welcoming fresh snowfalls almost daily. Mt Hotham has recorded 38 subzero days in a row.