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
Here is why not every wind from the ocean is a sea breeze
More than 85 per cent of Australians live within 50 kilometres of the ocean, but the variation in weather across any slice of this narrow coastal band is substantial.
Run of unprecedented temperatures continues after warmest January on record
Global temperatures through January have been the hottest on record, extending the run of unprecedented temperatures to eight months. For Australia, it's the third hottest January on record.
Sydney’s Warragamba Dam edges closer to capacity as ex-cyclone Kirrily brings heaviest rain in decades
The trajectory of ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily will ensure the southern portion of Warragamba's catchment receives sufficient rain to push the dam level closer to 100 per cent.
Parts of South Australia, Victoria, NSW to experience hottest weather in up to three years
A burst of hot northerly winds will bring the highest temperatures in years to parts of south-east Australia, while ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily carves a trail of torrential rain and flooding.
Australia could be in for another wet year with La Niña likely
Australia's most dominant climate driver, La Niña, has a strong chance of reappearing in 2024, shifting the odds to favour a wet year.
Cyclone Kirrily is not your usual cyclone. This is why it's different
Tropical Cyclone Kirrily's irregular shape will alter hazards to the north and south as it nears the north Queensland coastline.
Heatwave to peak in NSW, with far west expected to cop the hottest temperatures
The current heatwave is set to see the warmest temperature recorded in NSW since 2020, before a southerly buster brings relief.
Forthcoming heatwave to engulf central and eastern Australia
A severe heatwave coming from the west will bring the hottest weather in four years to parts of New South Wales this week.
Summer soaking forecast as parts of Australia brace for storms and potential flash flooding
Large parts of Australia are under a severe storm risk on Wednesday with likely severe storms in southern NSW and north-east Victoria.
Parts of Australia could see further flooding in coming days as polar vortex strengthens
The ongoing rains are making a mockery of spring headlines warning of dangerous bushfires and water shortages, setting a platform for Australia to record a wetter than normal summer.
When can eastern Australia expect relief from its higher-than-normal humidity levels?
Humidity has been at unbearable levels, with simmering waters and moist winds contributing to the warmth across eastern Australia.
Severe storms to light up eastern Australia's Christmas
Violent thunderstorms are likely across eastern Australia this Christmas, rivalling some of the most intense and widespread storm outbreaks of the past few decades.
Analysis
analysis:Did the Bureau of Meteorology drop the ball in its Tropical Cyclone Jasper forecasts?
An ABC analysis of events which unfolded last week shows the bureau's rain forecasts after Jasper's landfall were hindered by very poor modelling of the system's track.
NSW and southern Queensland set for dramatic change in weather during next 24 hours
Most of NSW and southern Queensland has endured either the hottest or near-hottest start to summer on record.
Christmas Day weather forecast for your city as Jasper threat remains
Early modelling indicates Christmas Day will see showers and thunderstorms up and down the eastern seaboard along with a potential cyclone tormenting the northern tropics.
NSW residents told to reduce electricity usage tonight as heatwave strains power networks
Temperatures are expected to peak at 40 degrees Celsius in parts of Sydney today, which the Australian Energy Market Operator says will cause a spike in electricity demand between 5pm to 9pm this evening.
Sydney's west and south-west swelter through hottest start to summer on record
Sydney's ongoing heatwave has resulted in suburbs across the city's west and south-west swelter through their hottest start to the summer on record.
Cyclone, heatwaves and flooding dominate Australia's weekend weather of extremes
Without a doubt the one topic of discussion this weekend is the weather. From a cyclone, to heatwave, record rain and flooding— Australia has it all.
Schools shut amid extreme fire danger with NSW set to swelter through hottest weather in years
Daily highs to soar up to 15 degrees Celsius above average for December around Sydney tomorrow, climbing well above 40C for inland suburbs and 39C in the city.
Heatwave could have final say on Cyclone Jasper's track with northern tropical coast most likely target
Cyclone Jasper's future track is slowly becoming clearer and the latest modelling data indicates the northern tropical coast is the most likely target.
East Coast Low makes way for severe thunderstorms, a December scorcher, and Coral Sea cyclone
Next week to bring a repeat of wild weather across many parts of Australia, after a surprisingly wet November.
Supercell storms to bring 'violent winds' and potential floods to eastern parts of Australia
The system already dumped a month's worth of rain in an hour on parts of Adelaide on Tuesday morning, and is now heading towards the eastern states.
Heavy rains mean Black Summer repeat unlikely as WA swelters through hottest November
As Western Australia sweats through the hottest November on record, eastern states are rejoicing through an extended run of stormy days.
Major storm event on the horizon across Australia as El Niño takes a raincheck
After a near rainless September and October, and the prospect of the driest spring on record, November serves up a pleasant surprise: rain.
El Niño is laying the foundations for unprecedented global temperatures next year
The current El Niño phase of the Pacific Ocean is forecast to peak during the coming months as one of the strongest on record, laying the platform for unprecedented global temperatures through 2024.