AFTER shivering through sub-zero temperatures over the weekend, local residents should brace themselves for several more days of similar conditions.
A total of 8.2mm of rain fell in Swan Hill during the 24 hours from 9am Saturday to 9am Sunday, the most rain seen in the region for almost a month.
At the same time, the mercury dipped to as low as minus two degrees and struggled to reach much higher than 11 degrees.
This pattern was repeated across Australia as the much-hyped “Antarctic vortex” hit the country, with Victoria and NSW bearing the brunt of the bad weather.
“It’s been a solid cold outbreak across Victoria but the coldest air now is starting to move off into the south eastern part of NSW,” Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Stuart Coombs said yesterday.
Despite the drenching, Swan Hill recorded its third highest maximum temperature this winter, reaching a balmy 18.6 degrees on Friday.
However, Friday night brought wind gusts of up to 52kmh and although winds are expected to subside this week today should see speeds above 30kmh.
Mr Coombs said there is potential for more rain in the region later this week, with a high probability of a Wednesday soaking.
“The cut-off low weather system looks set to track up through Adelaide and to NSW and as that process occurs it might see the Mallee,” said Mr Coombs.
“We can’t rule out further falls in the Mallee as the cutoff low drifts by.”
But Swan Hillians can rest assured that their beloved blue skies will be back before long.
“There looks like improvement in weather, temperatures and more sunshine coming into next weekend,” said Mr Coombs.
For more on this and other stories, grab a copy of Monday’s Guardian (July 13).
