![Beachgoers enjoy Williamstown beach despite the cold and gloomy weather.](/web/20170103120157im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/k/v/l/i/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gtkr5u.png/1483364335601.jpg)
'Anticyclonic gloom’ blankets summer skies with cloud
Melbourne is trapped under a mass of thick cloud one month into summer, because of a weather event known as "anticyclonic gloom."
Melbourne is trapped under a mass of thick cloud one month into summer, because of a weather event known as "anticyclonic gloom."
This year was Sydney's hottest year even without massive heatwaves but a monster mid-year storm provided the wildest weather.
After a scorching and humid week Sydney's heatwave is set to recede tomorrow, just in time for new year celebrations.
Thursday marked the first day of the summer that a Sydney weather station recorded the mercury touching 40 degrees.
A scorching end to 2016 will ensure Sydney registers its hottest year in more than a century-and-a-half of records.
A blisteringly hot end to 2016 is in store for Sydney and those holidaying up the coast, prompting warnings.
Sydney's hot weather is predicted to intensify over the next two days with a spike in temperatures and minimal chance of rainfall.
A string of 30-plus days and warm nights is forecast to bring in the new year in the capital, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Sydney is headed for a scorching end to 2016 as tropics-like heat and humidity push their way into Australia's south-east.
Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos have been evacuated as a powerful typhoon roars its way across the Philippines.
A hot air mass moving towards Sydney will ensure a sweltering end to 2016 for most of the south-east of New South Wales.
Melbourne has had a hottest Christmas Day in 18 years, with the temperature topping at 36.3 degrees at 4.30pm today.
The west of New South Wales will be hit by higher temperatures in the coming days before cooling off midweek, as a hot air mass moves towards Sydney.
A powerful late-season typhoon Nock-ten is spinning towards the Philippines.
Canberrans may be left dreaming of a white Christmas on Sunday with the mercury set to hit 31 degrees.
Most of New South Wales will swelter through Christmas Day with a heatwave affecting much of the State, including parts of Sydney, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of NSW to the north and east of Canberra.
Holidaymakers may want to keep a eye on rain radars as well as the mercury over the coming week.
A warm and sunny morning is expected to greet Canberrans on the year's most festive day, but a turn for the worse remains up in the air.
If Santa really lived at the North Pole his sleigh would run the risk of falling through the ice.
Sydneysiders will have to wait until the evening before relief from the heat arrives with a burst.
Canberrans opting for a traditional Aussie barbecue this Christmas might want to choose lunch over dinner or be left eating snags with a side of showers.
Sydney could be celebrating a wet Christmas this year, with a chance of showers across the city.
Taronga Zoo opens Squirrel Monkey Jungle Walk
A gusty southerly cool change will bring much-welcomed end to Sydney's record-breaking heat.
Relief from the heat is just hours away after temperature records tumbled overnight.
Tuesday night marked the third hottest December night on record in Canberra since 1940.
A sweaty night that has even bureau staff camping out in tents will make way for another hot day.
For those wondering "when will this end", Melbourne's steamy conditions won't come to a close until about midnight.
A record warm December night is in prospect as sea breezes remain weak.
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