On a hot and sticky day – one where back sweat is just around the corner – is there anything better than a light and refreshing breeze to cool you down? (Other than a pale ale and ocean dip, that is.) Well, it turns out Sydney produces the world’s most refreshing breeze, according to a new study conducted by leading scientist Jim N. R. Dale, founder of the British Weather Services, alongside AllClear Travel Insurance.
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The study looked at a number of key factors – including temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction – at more than 100 popular hotspots and created a formula to find the world’s most perfect holiday breeze, with Sydney beating Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro and Cyprus’ Paphos to claim the top spot. The coastal sweet spot was found to be 23-29°C, with 16-24 km/h winds, 65-70 per cent humidity, and wind off the sea. The inland sweet spot was 24-30°C, 16-24 km/h winds, 55-65 per cent humidity, with wind from the northerly quarter. From light ocean breezes to winds that make trees dance, Sydney was found to have the world’s most consistent ‘perfect’ breeze, scoring 96.4/100.
Dale says: “The perfect breeze can be elusive, especially on hot and sticky days when you need it most. But when all the elements align – wind speed, direction and just the right level of humidity – it can be more refreshing than any air conditioning and completely natural.” (We’ll still take the air con for Sydney’s summer.)
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Here are the world’s top five destinations for the perfect breeze:
- Sydney, Australia – 96.4/100
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 93.1/100
- Paphos, Cyprus – 91.4/100
- Puerto de la Cruz, Spain – 88.3/100
- Phuket, Thailand – 86.8/100
Check out the full study here.