Australia Sea Surface Temperature
The sea surface temperature (SST) varies much more slowly than atmospheric temperatures due to the heat capacity of water. As such, the SSTs lag the atmospheric temperatures on a seasonal timescale by about 3 months. The lowest SSTs are usually observed in early Spring and the highest SSTs are observed in early Autumn.
In tropical regions, SSTs greater than 26°C are considered suitable for formation of tropical cyclones.
The data displayed in this map is the weekly average, centred on the date shown.
Weather News
Late-spring heat gripping NSW
14:59 EDT
New South Wales is baking today as temperatures soar more than 10 degrees above average in some areas.
Double heat for Sydney
19:26 EDT
Two rounds of hot weather during the next week will pack out beaches and pools across the Sydney Basin.
Central Melbourne gets a tree change in readiness for hotter climate
19:09 EDT
Central Melbourne's streetscape is set for a marked change over the decades to come.