Dry, Dusty Days To Feature In Summer Forecast

Newcastle Herald

Friday October 3, 2008

By MELISSA LYONS

DRY days have dominated the Hunter's calendar this year, with only 88 days of rain recorded compared with last year's 115.

It has sent the rain gauge at Nobbys Head to 964.6 millimetres, a shortfall of more than 260 millimetres.

Despite scattered showers expected to sprinkle the coast in coming days, predictions of a rather dry and hot lead-up to summer are ringing true.

Just beyond a month into spring, the mercury has topped 30 degrees four times, and temperatures are bound to pass the 30-degree threshold again today and tomorrow.

Warm weather had many braving 17-degree waters at Bar Beach, and aspiring songwriter Aprill Miles chilled out and tested some tunes at Newcastle's famous swimming spot, the Bogie Hole.

Bureau of Meteorology climate officer Mike DeSalis said above-average temperatures should continue during the next three months.

And Mother Nature's efforts won't be enough to close the gap on the rain gauge if the predictions of long-range forecaster Ken Ring are right.

The man who foretold the Pasha Bulker storm has forecast October and December to be drier than average, with only 20 days of rain expected before 2009.

"Maximum temperatures should rise above 25 degrees in the first half of December, and in January there should be maximum temperatures above 40 degrees in the first week," Mr Ring said.

WHAT'S ON THIS LONG WEEKEND

TOMORROW

Olive Tree markets, the

Junction Public School grounds,

9am-3pm. Art, craft, organic

food and live music.

Catalina Festival, RAAF Flying

Boat Base Rathmines, 10am,

markets, flypasts and flying boat

landings.

Hunter Wetlands, Shortland,

showing Monday October 6 as

well, 10am, Shakespeare et al

presents Wind in the Willows,

tickets: $15 or $40 for a family.

Mattara Spring Art Exhibition,

Heritage Boiler Shop Building,

Honeysuckle, 3pm.

Rockers and Revheads dance

lessons, Wheeler Place, 5pm-

8pm, learn rocknroll dance.

SUNDAY

Hunter Wetlands canoeing,

tickets: $15 adults; $10 children;

$40 family.

This Is Not Art Fair, Civic Park,

markets, music art and Super

Picnic from noon till 5pm.

MONDAY

This is Not Art One Hour Photo,

11am- 7pm, grab a camera and

instructions from Civic Park.

Your photos can be included in

an art exhibition at the Octapod.

Murrays Beach Sculpture on

the Lake, Murrays Beach, Lake

Macquarie, 10am-5pm.

HUNTER FORECAST

Today

Afternoon shower

20?-34?

Tomorrow

Showers

20?-30?

Sunday

Showers

17?-27?

Monday

Fine

17?-23?

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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