Sydney is experiencing its driest start to May in more than 150 years, with no rain recorded in the city’s gauge since the 24th of April.

The record was broken this morning after a couple of nervous hours for weather statisticians. Clouds built along the coast as showers moved north towards Sydney after hitting Wollongong at 7am. Then, just before 9am, Randwick picked up 0.6mm. However, the showers missed the city allowing the long-standing record from 1882 to be broken.

It’s been a very sunny start to May for Sydney, with the city averaging 8.8 hours of sunshine per day so far, which is well above the average of 5.9 hours per day. This is more sunshine than we typically get through the summer months, when the days are longer.

The dry and sunny weather has been caused by numerous high pressure systems that have moved in over the Sydney Basin. The clear skies have also led to a very warm start to May with an average maximum of 22 degrees, 2.7 above the average.

The city is unlikely to stay dry for too much longer, as there should be a shower or two through Sydney today. However, these predominantly coastal showers may miss the city’s gauge and prolong the dry spell for a few more days as another high builds in the east.

The entire month probably won’t be drier than in 2008, when only 3mm was recorded. A low pressure system is likely to develop through the week and reach Sydney on Friday, bringing a few showers and some colder weather.

-Weatherzone.com.au