Contrast is a word that comes easily to mind when considering weather at almost any time, but especially as we drift slowly out of winter and to warmer days ahead.

It is so often a case of one day winter, and the next spring – and on rare occasions, something even warmer again.

So, it’s very much a time of contrast.

That contrast is likely to be with us for some months to come, as occasional cold pools of air in the higher levels of the atmosphere pass over us creating conditions that take us back to where we may have thought we had left in terms of weather.

In terms of planning your visit to any of the excellent Crown caravan and camping sites around New South Wales, it means being prepared for those contrasting conditions.

Packing up and leaving home on a cold day doesn’t automatically mean you need only warm clothes: the following day or two could turn around those temperatures.

Likewise, packing only summer type gear if it is warm when you set off doesn’t have any bearing on whether or not it will remain warm.

Those with a good memory for one of the most re-visited moments of local Rugby League history will easily appreciate contrast if they consider rainfall statistics for this time of the year and look at the picture that has been given the name, “The Gladiators”.

That picture of two absolutely mud-caked players – Arthur Summons and Norm Provan – was taken as the two left the field at the Sydney Cricket Ground at the conclusion of the epic 1963 Grand Final between Western Suburbs and St George.

Fairfax photographer, the late John O’Grady has had his work immortalised by its incorporation into the trophy presented at the end of Grand Finals of the modern era.

Its connection to weather is obvious when you consider the state of the SCG playing surface on that day – but, the irony is that such conditions contrast with what we could normally expect at this time of the year.

On average, Sydney’s driest month is September – and although the Grand Final involving teams from what was then a much smaller competition was actually played in late August back in 1963, that is also a period when rainfall is usually light.

Again, contrast is the word that comes to mind.

And, we are likely to see more of that as sharply colder changes interrupt our drift into a time of year when temperatures begin to rise.  

This winter season from which we are emerging has brought several particularly cold outbreaks – one of the most recent being a change that brought snow and hail through the Central West on August 7^th, and another that brought even more snow just a few days later to round out the weekend of August of August 9^th and 10^th.

History tells us that there may be more such outbreaks still to come.

Drifting from August into September

A feature of this site is condition comparisons – and contrasts, yes, that word again – between one month and either the next or the last, and the latest is featured below.

Conditions at Thredbo for September as opposed to those in August show higher precipitation levels in that Snowy Mountains centre for the ninth month of the year than for the eighth – and it’s fair to speculate that much of that precipitation is snow.

As with so much involved with weather, while such speculation is generally correct, it is also worth noting that cold pools of air in the upper atmosphere that reflect the maturity of the winter weather pattern can also accompany thunderstorms at this time of the year.

Those storms at this time, as much as at any other period of the year, are capable of producing heavy dumps of straight rain, or of hail.

But, a check of average conditions over the two months does provide a good basis for preparing to travel anywhere in New South Wales, and especially to get the most from the enjoying outdoors at the many Crown camping and caravan sites across the State.

SYDNEY: AUG. Temperature averages: 8.9 / 17.8 Rainfall: 81.9mm / 7.3 days

SEPT. Temperature averages: 11.0 / 19.9 Rainfall: 69.2mm / 7.3 days

BYRON BAY: AUG. Temperature averages: 12.5 / 20.3 Rainfall: 93.2mm / 7.0 days

SEPT. Temperature averages: 14.3 / 22.2 Rainfall: 66.5mm / 6.6 days

MERIMBULA: AUG. Temperature averages: 4.9 / 16.8 Rainfall: 41.5mm / 4.4 days

SEPT. Temperature averages:  6.9 / 18.3 Rainfall: 56.3mm / 5.5 days

PARKES: AUG. Temperature averages: 5.0 / 15.9 Rainfall: 49.3mm / 6.9 days

SEPT. Temperature averages: 7.3 / 19.4 Rainfall: 41.8mm / 6.0 days

THREDBO: AUG. Temperature averages:  -2.5 / 6.6 Rainfall: 188.8mm / 13.3 days

SEPT. Temperature average: -0.6 / 9.5 Rainfall: 211.4mm / 14.2 days

Those who may be considering a late season visit to the snow country will be heartened to know that September in Thredbo not only brings more precipitation than does August, but it is actually the most moisture producing month of the year at that centre.

Keen skiers will also be aware that the season now runs until at least the long weekend at the beginning of October – and, where snow levels allow, it may continue through to the following weekend which means that facilities this year may be open as late as October 11^th and 12^th.

Such extensions – subject to the right conditions – have been made especially attractive for resort operators since the introduction of four term school years in New South Wales and Victoria in the mid 1908s delivered a longer holiday break in September/October.

Snowfalls during July and August that were mentioned earlier on this site make that sort of extension a distinct possibility for this particular season – as always, depending on temperature levels and the possible topping up of snow cover over the next few weeks.

But, the season now passing us by has already lived up to early predictions that it would be in the top 40 percent of ski seasons – so, if the coming month proved to be mild it would not be a surprise to some and would maintain the well-earned reputation of the elements as being difficult to pin down.

One sign of a possible early drift to warmer days came towards the end of August when increased humidity levels were recorded across the top end of the Northern Territory.

They were a long way short of bringing an spectacularly early start to the wet season, which usually begins in late October or early November and continues until early May, but they were at least an indication that it could begin earlier rather than later.

Away from the snow country and by contrast (again), September is the driest month of the year not just in Sydney but also at attractive Byron Bay on the far north coast.

This cements a trend which has been noted on this site several times over the past few months: the gradual drift to drier conditions over the north of the State during the winter months – which is then reversed once the really warm days begin to move in and bring with them higher moisture levels.

To some extent, average conditions at this time of the year (when they do occur) should prove close to ideal for both those who want a pre-summer beach visit, and for those who want to continue to enjoy their favourite winter pursuits.

But, averages are always only a guide rather than a gospel when it comes to looking at likely conditions for the future.

To do that on the daily basis necessary to get the most from spending time in any our fine Crown caravan and camping sites, visitors should monitor daily media weather reports.

Where and when possible, make contact with the ultimate source of weather forecasts: the Bureau of Meteorology.

Their website provides a wealth of information – even enough for many primary producers to make their own forecasts for their particular part of the State.

Access to the website is through www.bom.gov.au

Telephone contact with either personal or recorded information is also possible.

Good up to date forecast information is always important, but that is even more so for those who may be either venturing into isolated country or planning to pit themselves and their boats against whatever the elements may create on our waterways.

Whatever information is received, remember that this time of year (perhaps even more than other times) is capable of rapid change in weather conditions, and wise vacationers should always be prepared for changes and for extremes – in other words, for contrast.