Southeast Australia to shiver through run of chilly nights

Large parts of southeastern Australia will shiver through a run of chilly nights over the next week, leading to widespread fog and frost patches and the coldest stretch of nights in years for some areas.

A perfect combination of ingredients has produced the ideal conditions for frosty nights. First, a cold airmass is lingering in the wake of a cold front that swept through over the weekend. Second, the unseasonable and stubborn blocking high will cause light winds and mainly clear skies for many areas.

Between Wednesday and Sunday, Melbourne and Hobart are forecast to have a run of minimum temperatures between 1 and 3 degrees, well below the average temperatures for this time of year. While there have been individual colder nights in the past, it is noteworthy that Melbourne has not experienced a consistent stretch of chilly nights like this since June 2013.

Northern and central Tasmania will see some of the coldest nights in this period, with Launceston seeing a string of nights between -1 and -3 degrees into the weekend and Devonport, which is at sea level on the NW Coast, is looking at consecutive nights between 0 and -2 degrees. Liawenee, known for its cold temperatures this time of year, will shiver through a number of nights of -5 degrees or lower throughout the week. This is well below the average, which sits at a minimum temperature of -1.5 degrees.

The chill won't just be felt in the south, either. The cold air will spread into the red centre, and particularly cool days are likely due to the addition of clouds. Alice Springs is forecast to reach between 11 and 12 degrees on successive days between Tuesday and Thursday, with nights dipping into the negatives.

Hobart has seen Kunanyi / Mt Wellington covered in snow the last few days (image: Sharon Heritage Photography, via Facebook) 

While the colder temperatures can be beautiful, winter weather brings many hazards for communities and businesses to work against. Frozen roads render transportation dangerous, and cold temperatures can endanger workers and affect productivity. 

Industries like agriculture, utilities, logistics and construction can suffer drastically from plummeting temperatures each year, which demonstrates why proactive risk mitigation efforts are not optional but survival strategies for every industry.

There are a range of actions a business can take to mitigate risk against cold. These include: 

• Putt machinery, equipment and tools away when not in use to protect them from cold weather. Low temperatures can reduce efficiency in batteries, hydraulic systems, or fuel-containing machinery, potentially leading to accidents or disruptions in productivity.
• Ensure there is adequate heating, if possible, to keep workers comfortable and efficient - and happy!
• Be aware of weather warnings. Cold weather can bring strong winds, fog and black ice on roads, so it is important to know where risks are located. 

Staying on top of warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology is a great start to planning for cold weather in your business, and with the addition of Early Warning Network and Tomorrow.io's weather resilience platform, you can access detailed forecasts in advance, and alert staff to dangerous conditions with ready-made API's tailored to Winter conditions. 

With precise and timely alerts on severe weather conditions such as wind, ice, and freezing temperatures, businesses can proactively manage risks, optimise supply chain logistics, and ensure the safety of their employees and customers. The platform's data-driven insights enable businesses to make informed decisions, such as scheduling deliveries, managing inventory levels, and implementing necessary safety measures to minimise disruptions and maintain continuity.

By integrating your operations with EWN's local staff and Tomorrow.io's resilience platform, businesses can stay ahead of adverse winter weather, reducing downtime and maintaining a competitive edge. 

Want to know how we can help your business - whatever season you're in?
Contact our team today.