GERALDTON – WEATHER – In Greenstone/Geraldton, residents might be forgiven for thinking they’ve stepped into an open freezer this morning, with temperatures plummeting to a bone-chilling -30°C.
Despite the calendar’s insistence that spring has arrived, the weather on March 21, 2024, tells a different story, offering a frigid start to the day under clear skies.
Here’s what you need to know about the current conditions and the forecast for the coming days.
Today’s Weather Overview
Current Conditions
As of 6:00 AM EDT at Geraldton Airport, the mercury reads an icy -29.6°C, with clear skies overhead. The air is dry, shown by a dew point of -32.9°C, and humidity is at 73%.
A slight west wind at 4 km/h does little to ease the cold, instead bringing the wind chill down to a staggering -34°C. Visibility is relatively good at 16 km, but the extreme cold poses a significant risk of frostbite.
Forecast Conditions
The day promises mainly sunny skies, but don’t let the sunshine fool you. Winds will pick up from the west, reaching 20 km/h and gusting to 40 km/h, causing the wind chill to fluctuate between a morning low of -35°C and an afternoon “high” of -13°C. The risk of frostbite remains high, and the UV index is low at 2.
Tonight, the sky will stay clear, with winds easing up to 15 km/h. Temperatures will drop to -23°C, and the wind chill will make it feel like -13°C in the evening, plummeting to -30°C overnight, continuing the frostbite risk.
Friday, March 22, offers a mix of sun and cloud, with a 40 percent chance of flurries. Winds will become west at 20 km/h by late morning, pushing the high to -5°C.
Morning wind chills are expected to hit -31°C, improving slightly to -12°C in the afternoon, with a persistent risk of frostbite and a low UV index of 2.
The weekend outlook is marginally better, with sunny skies forecasted for Saturday, March 23, and a high of -9°C. Nighttime will bring clear skies and a low of -22°C. Sunday continues the sunny trend with a high of -7°C, followed by a night of cloudy periods and a 60 percent chance of flurries, with temperatures dropping to -19°C.
Wardrobe Recommendations
In such extreme cold, dressing in multiple insulating layers is crucial. Start with a thermal base layer, add one or more insulating layers, and finish with a windproof and waterproof outer layer. A hat, mittens (preferably over gloves), a scarf, and insulated boots are essential to protect against frostbite.
Weather Trivia
Did you know that Greenstone/Geraldton has experienced temperatures as low as -40°C in the past? These extreme cold events highlight the region’s capacity for significant winter weather, even as the calendar shifts towards spring.
