Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - May 15/08 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of Queensland was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

IDQ1070001
WARNING SUMMARY
No warnings.
STATE FORECAST
for the rest of Friday and Saturday
Isolated afternoon thunderstorms possible near the southern border today, and
over the southeast corner on Saturday. Generally isolated showers over eastern
Queensland, clearing eastwards ahead of a vigorous SW change during Saturday -
raised dust is likely over most of southern Queensland with this change.
Moderate SE winds in the north, tending moderate NE to NW in the south ahead of
the change.
EXTENDED OUTLOOK
The high near New Zealand will continue to move east with the ridge over eastern
Queensland also weakening from the south. The associated moderate to fresh trade
flow and stream showers will become confined to north of Cooktown by late
Saturday and generally clearing by Monday.
A strong upper trough and its associated cold front will move across NSW and far
southern Queensland on Saturday and off the east coast on Sunday. This system
will eventually induce a surface low off the NSW coast on Sunday. The front will
tend to decay as it moves further northwards along the coast, as ridging from
the next high over South Australia pushes through and merges with the
preexisting ridge north of Cooktown. Showers and isolated thunderstorms will
develop ahead of the front and extend across the southern interior to the
southeast coast. Further north, isolated showers will develop to the east of the
front over central parts. The showers and thunderstorms will clear eastern
Queensland by early Sunday morning as the frontal system moves off the coast. A
weak cloudband with some generally light rain or drizzle will accompany the
front over far southeastern parts late Saturday and early Sunday. Dry, cool and
gusty SW to SE winds will follow this front while warmer NW to N winds will
precede the system. Dust areas will occur over southern inland districts
following the front with the gusty SW winds and will extend to the southern

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STAT News Service