Tom Saunders
Tom Saunders is a Meteorologist with the ABC in NSW. He presents the weather in the 7PM TV news bulletin and contributes to online, radio and the News Channel. Tom began his career as an operational forecaster after studying atmospheric science at Macquarie University before taking a broadcast meteorology role with The Weather Channel. Tom has forecast and reported on weather events across Australia and globally for two decades while also providing commentary on interannual variability and climate change.
Latest by Tom Saunders
Australia's highest air pressure on record observed as monster high engulfs the nation
The abnormal pressure is having a significant impact on the nation's weather, including extreme low overnight temperatures over south-east states and a lengthy stretch of showery days along the eastern seaboard.
Strongest cold front of 2024 to bring weekend snow, followed by potential record-breaking 'blocking high'
Polar air from Antarctica is surging towards south-east Australia, bringing gusty winds, showers and low-level snow. While midwinter cold outbreaks are typical, the subsequent weather is nothing short of bizarre.
Polar outbreak and snow ahead this week with Sydney and Melbourne on track for coldest start to winter in decades
Parts of south-east Australia have recorded their coldest start to winter in decades, and another polar air mass during the coming week promises to bring strong winds, showers, small hail and alpine snow.
Winter cloud brings coldest weather in 27 years to south-east states
After Melbourne recorded it coldest day in five years yesterday, parts of south-east Australia today shivered to their coldest maximum in up to 27 years.
Bureau issues flood watch from Sydney to South Coast as deluge returns
Up to 250 millimetres of rain could soak parts of south-east NSW during the next 24 hours as another major rain event unfolds across the state.
Earth has recorded its 12th month in a row of record heat — so when will it end?
As the world hits an alarming climate milestone, a new report by a US research team shows the staggering amount of extreme heat days each country experienced last year, with the majority made more likely by human-induced climate change.
Rarely seen clouds have materialised over Sydney, but what are they?
A strange cloud formation known as roll clouds have appeared in the skies across eastern NSW. Many Sydney residents have taken to social media sharing photos of the formation and questioned what the clouds are.
Three weather systems combine for an ongoing Australia-wide soaking
A 5,000-kilometre-long cloud band travelling west to east is expected to drench parts of the country over the coming days. Following a second rainband, a separate weather system is threatening to bring heavy rain from NSW to Tasmania from Saturday to Thursday.
Majority of Australia set for soaking rains with first north-west cloud band of the year forecast
A north-west cloud band will engulf Australia this week, signalling a rapid transition away from the monotonous high pressure systems which have dominated recent weather charts.
Australia's weather map freezes for second time, laying the platform for record May in Perth, Adelaide and parts of NSW
For the second time this May, Australia's normally mobile weather systems have ground to a halt, with the coming week bringing another prolonged spell of invariable day-to-day weather.
Weekend washout edges Sydney towards multiple rain records as La Niña looms on the horizon
As NSW is soaked by another bout of rain, updated modelling further raises the prospect of La Niña's return in 2024.
Flooding on cards for parts of NSW as rain tipped to continue falling into this weekend
Rain and more rain is predicted for New South Wales over the next six days, with parts of the state potentially facing floods and Sydney to experience its longest wet spell in decades.
‘150mm not out of the question’: Huge rainfall tipped for NSW this weekend
The sustained rain event across the state is expected to not only continue but to become more intense, with floods and a 14-day rain streak touted as possibilities.
How a split in the jet stream could bring a 10-day soaking to NSW
Thanks to a stalled high-pressure system, known as a "blocking high", rain — and potentially flooding — could be on the cards for New South Wales.
East coast to soak over the weekend amid possible cyclone, frosty south — and endless WA heat
Australia's weather will serve up a smorgasbord of variability this weekend, with an expected drenching for the east, wintry nights in the southern states and ongoing heat in the west.
Man's body found near reserve in Sydney's west after massive rainfall pummels the state
The body of the man, who has not been identified, was found by a member of the public at a reserve in Penrith as police say they aren't able to confirm if the death is flood-related.
Sydney cops heaviest rainfall in four years as severe weather event hits NSW
The expected deluge overnight in parts of Sydney and the Illawarra, Blue Mountains and Hunter, could see severe flash flooding and rapid river rises.
Major rain event engulfing most of eastern Australia for next 48 hours as BOM issues flood warning
Sydney is on flood watch alongside at least 30 rivers across NSW and Queensland as torrential rain is expected to pummel eastern Australia over the next 48 hours.
A band of rain and storms is sweeping across south-eastern states ahead of a more significant weather event
A cold front moving through Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania is expected to be followed by heavy rain, storms and potentially the first east coast low for 2024.
Ideal Easter weather across southern Australia before outback soaking moves south
Southern Australia can expect ideal weather over the Easter break until at least Monday, when rain that has been pummelling parts of the NT moves south.
Record outback rains could move south this Easter
The southern states could be in for a wet Easter weekend as record-breaking rains inundating central Australia are expected to move south.
La Niña odds now sit at 80 per cent. How will it affect our weather?
The forecast is above La Niña's average occurrence of once every four years, and if eventuated would represent the fourth La Niña in five years.
Sydney's waters now warm enough for a tropical cyclone
After a hot and humid summer, NSW is now enduring an extended spell of warm autumn weather moving into its second week.
Near-record autumn heat bakes south-east while cyclone threat returns to Australia's north
The calendar rolls into autumn but Australia's weather still firmly resembles mid-summer, including the most intense autumn heatwave in decades across South Australia and Victoria.
Return to La Niña in 2024 a strong possibility, latest modelling shows
Scorching end to summer expected for south-east as heavy rain falls on east and west coasts.