• Australia experienced its warmest winter since records began in 1910, with states like Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania reporting record-high temperatures.
• Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra all recorded exceptionally high temperatures during the winter season, with Sydney averaging a pleasant 15.3 degrees, breaking the previous record set in 2013.
• The above-average temperatures are expected to persist into the Australian spring due to the intensifying El Nino climate phenomenon, impacting tourism as ski resorts in Victoria and New South Wales had to close early this season due to low snowfall.

While Europe has just experienced an extremely hot summer, Australia is simultaneously reporting a winter with record-high temperatures.

The states of Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania have experienced their warmest winter since records began in 1910, the national weather service (BoM) announced on Tuesday.

Across the country the average temperature was 1.45 degrees above the 1961-1990 average - the third-highest on record for this time of year.

In Sydney, on the East Coast, temperatures were often almost spring-like. The Australian Guardian quoted BoM climatologist Simon Grainger as saying that the average temperature was a pleasant 15.3 degrees.

The previous record of 15 degrees was set in 2013. Melbourne and the capital, Canberra, also recorded exceptionally high temperatures.

According to the weather expert, the above-average temperatures are likely to persist into the Australian spring, which is now beginning.

Unusually high day and nighttime temperatures are expected across large parts of the country, Grainger said. The intensifying El Niño climate phenomenon is playing a role in this and is expected to reach its peak in late spring or summer, he said.

Low snowfall is also having consequences for tourism, with ski resorts in Victoria and New South Wales having to close early this season.