Canberra records coldest September morning at -6.9C

On Monday, Canberra experienced its coldest September morning on record, with temperatures plummeting to -6.9C. This surpassed the previous record of -6.8C set in 2012. The cold snap affected much of south-eastern Australia, with several regions in inland New South Wales recording temperatures at or below zero. Cooma reported the lowest temperature in the country at -8.2C, while other areas like Goulburn and Young also faced significant drops. The cold weather was attributed to a strong cold front that swept across the region over the weekend, bringing with it air from near Antarctica. This resulted in widespread low temperatures, with many locations experiencing conditions five to eight degrees below average. Snowfall was reported in the hills surrounding Canberra and in various parts of Victoria and Tasmania, indicating the severity of the cold front's impact. Meteorologists noted that while these low temperatures may feel surprising after a warm August, such cold mornings are typical for September. The Bureau of Meteorology indicated that the cold snap would continue into Tuesday, but temperatures were expected to rise back to average levels by Wednesday and Thursday. Overall, this weather event highlights the variability of spring temperatures in Australia, with significant fluctuations often occurring as the seasons transition. The cold conditions serve as a reminder of the influence of strong weather systems on regional climates, particularly in the south-eastern parts of the country.