Australia's record winter heat sets stage for a scorching spring

Sydney and Melbourne basked in their warmest winters on record, with spring promising even more heat.

Told by Peter Ashford · 28 August 2026

Australia has just wrapped up a record-breaking warm winter, with both Sydney and Melbourne setting new temperature highs. This trend is expected to continue into spring, with forecasts predicting temperatures 2-3°C above historical averages across southern states. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) indicates a greater than 80% chance that this spring will be unusually warm, potentially leading to the hottest spring on record.

Both cities recorded a mean winter temperature of 15.3°C, a stark contrast to historical averages. Meanwhile, Canberra has also seen unprecedented warmth, with the forecast showing it could reach 21°C on the first day of spring, marking the warmest start to spring in five years for the capital, as well as for Melbourne and Adelaide.

These rising temperatures are attributed to a combination of climate change and an intense El Niño event. Notably, the lack of cold fronts from the Southern Ocean has contributed to the warm winter, resulting in an unusual absence of snow in traditionally snowy areas. As we head into spring, the heat will only build, potentially leading to significant implications for agriculture, water supplies, and overall climate patterns in the region.