Australia has ushered in the first week of winter with record-breaking lows and incredible snow dumps.
This morning has continued the trend with Sydney recording its coldest start to winter since 1989. The mercury dipped to a low of 7C.
With one week of the season down and three more months looming, let's take a look at what winter has in store.
It's unwelcome news for those hoping for an end to the rain that's plagued the south-east for months; "winter rainfall is likely to be above median for much of Australia", according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).
This above average rainfall will exacerbate the risk of flash flooding across the south east as soil catchments are saturated.
Below median falls will be felt across south-western Australia, and western Tasmania, the Bureau added.
The rain is being driven by the La Niña weather phenomenon, which will "slowly weaken" over the coming months.
"Compared to two weeks ago, tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures have warmed, particularly in the western half of the tropical Pacific, returning to near-average values," BoM said.
"However, some atmospheric indicators continue to show a La Niña signal."
This end of the rain, and La Niña, is also being hampered by the "likely" formation of a negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD).
"However, some atmospheric indicators continue to show a La Niña signal."
This end of the rain, and La Niña, is also being hampered by the "likely" formation of a negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD).
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"A negative IOD increases the chances of above average winter–spring rainfall for much of Australia," BoM said.
"It also increases the chances of warmer days and nights for northern Australia."
The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is currently neutral.
While the south-east has been gripped by extreme cold this week, the BoM predicts warmer than average minimum temperatures for much of Australia, as well as warmer than average nights.
There are exceptions to this; cooler than average days are predicted for central and inland areas.
