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Classic autumn weather finally catching up with Sydney

Rob Sharpe, Tuesday March 31, 2015 - 12:02 AEDT

Sydney recorded its warmest March in nine years, but today's gloomy weather is a sign of things to come.

According to the history books, March is Sydney's second wettest month, averaging 130mm. However this year the Harbour City was much hotter and sunnier than usual, making it feel like summer would never end. The city only recorded 65mm and reached an average maximum of almost 27 degrees. In Richmond only 26mm was recorded, making it the driest March in a decade.

Today, a weak surface trough combining with cold upper level air has led to the resurgence of showers across the basin. Before midday Olympic Park had gained 13mm whilst Gosford was drenched with 20mm in under half an hour as people arrived at work.

Showers will clear up overnight tonight across Sydney and the Central Coast, but we aren't likely to see the long dry spells that people have become accustomed to.

The four wettest months on Sydney's calendar are from March to June. The latest forecasts indicate that with warmer than usual seas and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole we are likely to see near average or above average rainfall across the next three months. The extra humidity should also lead to warmer than usual nights.

Easter Forecast

This Easter Long Weekend will begin in a dark and gloomy fashion as many remember the death of Jesus of Nazareth. Cloud and showers will spread across much of New South Wales, with Sydney also likely to experience a few. Skies will remain gloomy on Saturday as the offending low pressure trough lingers.

On Sunday the trough will move east, allowing the sun to rise clearly in western NSW for Easter morning. However, in Sydney the lingering wet and gloomy weather won't be so fitting with the joy of the day. The best time for Easter Egg Hunts will probably be on Monday as the trough takes rain off the coast, but the ground will still be fairly soggy from the weekend drenching.

- Weatherzone

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