Abnormally hot days may hit Australia’s south-east after rare sudden warming over Antarctica
Phenomenon extremely rare in southern hemisphere and last occurred in 2019 when it contributed to worsening of black summer bushfires
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A rare rise in stratospheric temperatures over Antarctica could influence weather into summer, with previous events driving hotter and drier conditions for south-east Australia.
The phenomenon – called sudden stratospheric warming – is extremely unusual in the southern hemisphere. It only previously occurred in 2002 and 2019, the latter contributing to a worsening of the black summer bushfires.
