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BAMOS May 2026
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Tasman lows are closely related to east coast lows, which typically refer to even more impactful low-pressure systems that often move closer to the coast and / or track southward from the southern Queensland and northern New South Wales coastline. A key study details some of the main characteristics and trends of these wintertime mid-latitude cyclones.
Late autumn heat
After the big events of early autumn, things calmed down for many across Australia. From April into May, roughly the southern half of Australia received unseasonably warm temperatures, with a“ Very Much Above Average” decile for maximum temperatures at locations including Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney in the April period( Figure 3).
The first few days of May saw numerous record-high May temperatures across southeast Australia, including in Hobart.
Our place in space
We are reminded of our unique location in this part of the world, influenced both by tropical and mid-latitude phenomena( and sometimes both at the same time!). I might suggest gathering some of your colleagues and chatting about what you see on the charts( and perhaps grab some lollies too – like we do at UNSW). You might just find yourself captivated, like me, by what you see.
Figure 3: Maximum temperature deciles for April 2026 across Australia. Credit: Bureau of Meteorology
American Meteorology Society Photo contest open for submissions
The 2026 American Meteorological Society Photo Contest is now open for submissions, and we’ re looking for standout images of weather, water, and climate.
From subtle atmospheric moments to more dramatic scenes, we’ re excited to see how you capture the world around you, whether you’ re an amateur or a seasoned photographer.
Top entries will earn cash prizes of up to $ 500. All winners will receive a complimentary AMS Associate Membership and be featured across AMS platforms, including the AMS Headlines news hub. Learn more here.
Submissions opened 15 April, 2026, and will close 30 June, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Winners will be announced in early Fall 2026.