Winter is here and once again Ipswich locals have reason to be more rugged up than their neighbours in Brisbane.
In the depths of winter the average minimum temperature is 5 degrees Celsius chillier than the nearby capital.
So why does Ipswich tend to get colder than Brisbane in winter, and hotter in summer?
What causes the temperature differences?
Meteorologist Shane Kennedy from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said the main reason behind the temperature difference comes down to a region's distance from the ocean.
Ipswich is about 50 kilometres further inland than Brisbane, which sits on the bay.
Mr Kennedy said it's all related to how the ocean heats up during the day, and the way it retains and dissipates that energy.
"The ocean often acts as a bit of a moderator on the temperature since it takes more energy to heat up the ocean, or cool it down," he said.
"Being closer to the coast tends to moderate those temperatures, so they [areas like Brisbane CBD] don't get quite as hot during the afternoon and conversely don't get quite as cool during the morning."
Ipswich doesn't have a large enough body of water nearby to moderate the temperature like the capital city does, which results in more extreme highs and lows in the region.
"Another contributing factor is you tend to get slightly higher moisture closer to the coast, and it takes more energy to heat up or cool down," he said.
"In the middle of July the average [minimum temperature] at Amberley is 5.4 degrees while in Brisbane City it's 10.4 degrees."
While 5.4 degrees Celsius might feel cold, the record minimum temperate at Amberley was over 10 degrees colder.
On the morning of August 8, 1995 the mercury hit from a freezing minus 4.9 degrees.
How does sea breeze impact winter temperatures?
Mr Kennedy said another related — but slightly different — reason is the breeze and moisture from the sea.
"Ipswich being further inland … a bit further away from the coast, you don't get those afternoon sea breezes which can help reduce the daytime temperatures a little bit," he said.
"But then overnight, it tends to be a bit drier… and further from the ocean, it tends to be a little bit cooler overnight."
Natural factors like the ocean and sea breezes aren't the only ones impacting temperatures in these cities. Man-made structures can play a significant role as well.
Why does urban heat keep cities warmer than regional towns?
Geographer and atmospheric and climate sciences professor at the University of Queensland, Hamish McGowan, said part of the reason Ipswich has a lower average minimum temperature than Brisbane is due to the area having less infrastructure.
"Ipswich also has a less significant urban heat island, which means less heat is transferred to the lower atmosphere at night from the buildings and roads, which warmed during the day," he said.
An urban heat island is an urban area that's significantly warmer than its surroundings.
It is caused when natural cover is replaced with dense concreted areas, which trap more heat.
Since Brisbane has more infrastructure, it has a bigger urban heat island and so it traps more warmth during the day.
What does elevation have to do with cold weather?
While the difference in elevation between the two regions isn't huge, it can still impact temperatures.
"Parts of Ipswich also sit in topographic lows, meaning they are prone to cold air stagnation at night," Professor McGowan said.
Cold air is heavier than hot air, so it can stagnate in valleys around Ipswich and cause regional temperatures to plummet further than in Brisbane.
