Topic: Severe Humidity Feb 2nd!

[Jeff Brislane]

Hi,

I know it's not about storms but the levels of heat and humidity today in Sydney are just phenominal and it certainly classes as severe weather. Penrith AWS has today recorded the highest combination of temp and dew points that I personally have ever seen. I'l give you an example. Theses figures are from midday to right now at 4:22pm. As you can see there has been so many 10 minute or less readings that the BoM must be really watchinthis with interest. Notice at 3:11pm it was 39.3/23.6!!! That is extreem tropical level heat and humidity that you'd normally have to travel to the Kimberely to find. The feels like temp at that point hit 47 degrees! Lets see if any of the storms later tonight can tap into this extreemly humid enviroment.

Jeff.

Thu 02/02 16:22 SE  15 20 31.1 25.0 70 37.0 6.1(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 16:12 SE  16 23 31.5 24.9 68 38.0 6.9(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 16:02 SE  18 23 32.2 24.8 65 39.0 8.5(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 16:00 SE  18 23 32.2 24.8 65 39.0 8.5(Mod) 0.0 -
Thu 02/02 15:52 SE  19 25 33.5 24.7 60 40.0 11.1(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 15:42 ESE 18 24 35.5 24.8 54 43.0 14.0(H) - -
Thu 02/02 15:32 SE  18 24 36.0 24.0 50 43.0 16.3(H) - -
Thu 02/02 15:30 SE  18 24 36.0 24.0 50 43.0 16.2(H) 0.0 -
Thu 02/02 15:22 SE  10 19 37.8 23.8 45 45.0 14.4(H) - -
Thu 02/02 15:20 SE  16 19 37.8 23.8 45 45.0 18.8(H) 0.0 -
Thu 02/02 15:11 SE  6 10 39.3 23.6 41 47.0 14.7(H) - -
Thu 02/02 15:02 SE  5 9 38.8 22.8 40 45.0 14.4(H) - -
Thu 02/02 15:00 SE  5 9 38.8 22.8 40 45.0 14.4(H) 0.0 -
Thu 02/02 14:52 SSE 5 7 38.3 21.9 39 43.0 14.6(H) - -
Thu 02/02 14:41 SSE 4 6 38.1 22.5 41 44.0 13.0(H) - -
Thu 02/02 14:32 SE  3 5 37.6 22.9 43 43.0 11.4(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 14:30 SE  3 5 37.6 22.9 43 43.0 11.4(Mod) 0.0 -
Thu 02/02 14:21 SE  5 7 37.3 22.6 43 43.0 12.3(H) - -
Thu 02/02 14:12 SE  5 6 37.2 23.7 46 44.0 11.1(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 14:01 S  5 8 36.5 23.7 48 43.0 10.1(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 14:00 S  5 8 36.5 23.7 48 43.0 10.1(Mod) 0.0 -
Thu 02/02 13:51 SSW 4 6 36.2 23.8 49 43.0 9.3(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 13:42 S  3 7 36.3 23.9 49 43.0 8.8(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 13:31 SW  4 5 35.5 23.5 50 41.0 8.7(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 13:30 SW  4 5 35.5 23.5 50 41.0 8.7(Mod) 0.0 -
Thu 02/02 13:21 SW  4 6 35.4 24.1 52 42.0 8.1(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 13:12 SW  2 5 35.3 24.6 54 43.0 6.9(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 13:02 SW  4 7 34.4 24.7 57 42.0 6.6(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 13:00 SW  4 7 34.4 24.7 57 42.0 6.6(Mod) 0.0 -
Thu 02/02 12:52 SSW 5 7 34.0 24.9 59 41.0 6.4(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 12:42 SE  3 5 34.2 23.9 55 40.0 6.7(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 12:31 SSW 4 6 33.7 24.3 58 40.0 6.2(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 12:30 SSW 4 6 33.7 24.3 58 40.0 6.2(Mod) 0.0 -
Thu 02/02 12:21 SW  5 7 33.6 25.1 61 41.0 5.8(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 12:12 WNW 3 6 34.1 25.2 60 42.0 5.6(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 12:01 NNW 5 8 32.7 24.5 62 39.0 5.5(Mod) - -
Thu 02/02 12:00 NNW 5 8 32.7 24.5 62 39.0 5.5(Mod) 0.0

[David C]

Not wrong Jeff. I was runnings errands early noon and bugger that was some heat index. I was at Bunnings (next to the airport) and 24.2 was recorded at 1:00pm. Badgery's Creek was the moisture sink again with 25+ recorded.

We just need -12 with a negative tilt upper trough overlaying this.

[Jimmy Deguara]

Hi Jeff,

You beat me to it except to say I measured it yesterday along the sea breeze front - the same figures you quote here. When I crossed the sea breeze front it was hotter and drier - 40C  21C. I was at North Ryde and everyone was complaining out there but I can tell you I could feel the heat as I got on Old Windsor Road and beyond! It was on Schofields Road that I crossed the sea breeze front! These temperatures are to be used as a guide though coming from a Kestrel but it was insane heat.

I remember when David came here in 22nd December 2002 when we had very similar dew points 40C and 20C dew points! That was followed by the cap breaking with the change and some electrical activity! I recall David almost wanting to be carried away on a stretcher!

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

[Jeff Brislane]

I agree David, but theres not much chance with the ridge from hell still dominating at 500mb.

[Matthew Piper]

I also havent personally experienced humidity as extreme as yesterday  I thought the time Jimmy, Jeff and myself were at Kew a few years ago was bad, but this takes the cake. It was extremely difficult to teach in a lab without air conditioning. The poor kids and myself were melting and the fans didnt help at all 

[Geoff Thurtell]

I could not get outside at work on 2nd February as I had too much to do before I commenced my leave.  >
At lunchtime a couple of people went out to buy lunch and came back inside in a lather of sweat. The first time that I have observed this in 9 years of working at Pymble.  Yes, there was definitely higher than normal humidity yesterday!

Regards,

Geoff

[David C]

I could not get outside at work on 2nd February as I had too much to do before I commenced my leave.  >
At lunchtime a couple of people went out to buy lunch and came back inside in a lather of sweat. The first time that I have observed this in 9 years of working at Pymble.  Yes, there was definitely higher than normal humidity yesterday!

Regards,

Geoff

AGAL people, lather of sweat.....now I'm grossed out...was Brian involved Geoff hehe?

Actually do you guys recall an ASWA Feb meeting at Mario's place back in 2001 or 2002 - I think the dewpoint was a little above 25 even in the CBD - you would remember Jimmy, but temperatures were low 30s if I recall and it was not quite as oppressive as Thursday was. And yes I did nearly collapse at your place that day, Jimmy....thanks for all the water you offered mate

[Jimmy Deguara]

Hi David,

And yes I did nearly collapse at your place that day, Jimmy....thanks for all the water you offered mate

Mate, it's not as if I drank water and let you thirst buddy - with arms curled around the bottle:) I guess you learned your lesson being too nice with responses like, "Only if you are having".

I do recall the 16th February 2002 event and did not even realise at the time the dew points being that high. This year even driving in the country where obviously heat is not a problem, the moisture hitting you as you cross the boundary had been remarkable on a few occasions! Better than -5C dew points.

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

[David C]

haha no more please can I have a drink sir!

not 16 Feb Jimmy, that was at matt Smith's house. One at Mario's - just can not remember the date

Jimmy Deguara
[/quote]

[Geoff Thurtell]

AGAL people, lather of sweat.....now I'm grossed out...was Brian involved Geoff hehe?

Yes, AGAL people and "lather of sweat" is a contradiction of terms... definitely not from overwork!  Fortunately, Brian was not involved. 

The meeting at Mario's was most likely February 2001. I can vaguely remember the night. With a few people in his smallish living room, the atmosphere definitely became very "thick".

Jimmy, that was very uncharacteristic of you... don't you remember the 16 February 2002 stormchase?

Regards,

Geoff

[Jimmy Deguara]

Hi Geoff,

The dew points on 26th February 2002 were remarkably high - of the order of 24 to 25C I thought?

I think the day in question may have been the day of the Canberra bushfires - yes David?

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

[Matthew Piper]

I can remember that night at Mario's. From memory it was one of the first meetings we had there so I think Geoff may be right with Feb 2001.

[Jeff Brislane]

The day of the canberra bushfires was the 45 degree day in january 2003 which was the first and only time I went to mario's so probably not the right day Jimmy.

Jeff.