Canberra has not experienced such a prolonged period of frosty mornings in July since 1994.  

During this month of July, the city recorded 18 days with negative temperatures, which is two days more than the monthly average. While this data is already noteworthy, what truly captures attention is the consecutive sequence of early mornings with temperatures below zero. 

Image: Temperature observations and rainfall at Canberra Airport during July 2023.

For 12 consecutive days, from Sunday the 16th to Thursday the 27th, the capital of the country experienced sub-zero temperatures. A persistent high-pressure system and intense masses of cold air resulted in clear skies, cold air, and calm winds during the dawn. And the result was this historic sequence of cold mornings.

Over the past 30 years, Canberra has only had four streaks of subzero temperatures lasting longer than 10 days (in any month or combination of months). The longest streak was 14 days in both 1994 and 2002.

While the high-pressure system continues to linger over the region, the cold air mass has now moved away, leading to warmer temperatures in the past few mornings. At least until the end of July, the warmer northwesterly winds will keep temperatures above freezing. However, frosty mornings are expected to return in early August, as a new airmass is expected to arrive in the region.

For more updates, stay tuned to Weatherzone.