Cool and wet in Sydney, warmer in Jyväskylä

The hot weather seen in Sydney over the weekend, which included a top of 36.6C on January 25, was cut short by a sharp drop in temperatures yesterday. While some cities like Perth and Brisbane saw a sweltering Australia Day, Sydney barely held above 20C. Mild nighttime temperatures helped the Airport record a daily maximum of 22.4C, while the minimum was seen much later as it dipped below 19C around 6pm; only the second time in the 18s this month.

Persistent drizzle arrived from the east to coastal suburbs yesterday afternoon. The cricket match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground was abandoned in the evening due to the unrelenting rain. Falls weren't especially high though. Sydney Airport recorded 4.8mm up to midnight. Observatory Hill saw a little more with 13.6mm.

Drizzle increased to heavier showers yesterday evening and during the early hours of today. Showers continued throughout today and rainfall measurements around the city have been much higher. Some totals are the highest seen in a few months. Terrey Hills in Sydney's north has seen the highest total in the region with 92.0mm. Observatory Hill recorded 69.4mm. There was less rain at the Airport but the 35.0mm recording today is still the highest daily total since 86.0mm fell on October 14 last year.

Temperatures have also been rather low today. It reached a top of only 20.6C at the Airport. This is the coldest January maximum seen at the Airport in 15 years. January 7 in 2000 was the previous colder January maximum when it only got as warm as 19.8C. Today's figure is also the lowest maximum since October 21.

Rain has continued throughout the night in Sydney also. The heavier showers should ease in the morning, but there may be a bit of rain around in the coming days. Temperatures will climb a little as well.

After four consecutive days below -10C, temperatures climbed in Jyväskylä on January 24. Since then it hasn't dropped below -3C. It hasn't been above zero either though as temperatures have hovered mostly around -1.5C.

A band of precipitation arrived in Finland from the west early this morning and snow has been falling in Jyväskylä for most of today. A total of 6.1mm has been recorded at Tikkakoski, pushing the snow depth above 40cm for the first time this winter.