The end to winter is well over a week away but Canberra will enjoy spring-like weather conditions this weekend.
For those who are taking their allotted exercise during lockdown, Canberra is looking for a maximum of 20 degrees on Sunday after an overnight minimum of one degree. That follows a day of 18 degrees on Saturday.
The warm weather will persist into Monday when there is a near 100 per cent chance of showers and even a thunderstorm. The passage of a cold front will bring a return to wintry temperatures on Tuesday, with showers and a top of just 11.
Gardeners across Canberra are already calling an early start to spring, with overnight temperatures already moderating. The lowest overnight temperature this week will be -1 on Thursday.
Wattle Day is September 1 and the traditional first day of spring - but the flora doesn't pay any attention and golden blooms of wattle are already vigorously showing all around the territory.
The cancellation of Canberra's springtime celebration Floriade, confirmed by the ACT Chief Minister, is a repeat of the disappointment of last year. What it will mean however, is that planter boxes and pots that were to feature in Commonwealth Park will be relocated throughout the city and suburbs.
Looking longer term at Canberra's spring weather, the latest modelling from the Bureau of Meteorology shows a negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), indicating above average winter-spring rainfall for much of southern and eastern Australia.
