CLEAR TO SEE WHY WINTER’S A WINNER
THE Gold Coast is ready to start showing off as the city shrugs off autumn and moves into the first day of winter.
Although temperatures are expected to plunge to 7C today, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a winter outlook which forecasts warmer and drierthan-usual conditions for the next three months.
Bureau forecaster Sam Campbell said winter was where the Gold Coast came into its own.
He said winter troughs that brought rain to southern states often ran out of steam by the time they hit the Glitter Strip.
“Often all we get is a slight wind change in winter,” Mr Campbell said.
He said prevailing cool dry-westerly winds in winter was the cause of crisp clear skies.
“(The Gold Coast) is a lovely place to be at this time of year,” he said.
“Typically, we see more westerly winds that are generally dry, which clears things up – so with the cooler conditions we don’t get that haze as much.”
He said the Gold Coast was set to see clear skies for at least the next two days.
But cloud cover is forecast for early next week.
“In the wake of a cool, dry air mass we should see a return to cooler mornings with 7C forecast today and 8C-10C on coming days,” Mr Campbell said.
Amateur photographer Mitch Dann said winter was one of the best times of year to take photos.
“The water clears up and we get those beautiful winter greens and blues,” said the Brisbane construction worker.
“For a photographer it’s great because you don’t have to get up as early to enjoy those golden hours in the morning.”