Australia -- New South Wales Weather Update

MELBOURNE - May 16/08 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of New South Wales was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

Warning Summary:
Sheep Graziers Warning for the Lower Western, Riverina, South West Slopes,
Southern Tablelands, Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, North
West Slopes and Plains, Northern Tablelands, Illawarra, South Coast, Hunter and
Mid North Coast districts. For the latest warning information please check the
Bureau's web site http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw/Strong Wind Warning for all
NSW Coastal Waters and for Sydney Closed Waters. Severe Weather Warning for
Alpine Areas and the Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Central West Slopes
and Plains, Central Tablelands, Hunter and Illawarra. Gale Warning for NSW
Coastal Waters south of Smoky Cape. Strong Wind Warning for NSW Coastal Waters
north of Smoky Cape and for Sydney Closed Waters.
Current Weather Situation and Future Developments:
A vigorous, cold front is moving across central New South Wales. The front will
move over the Tasman Sea  Saturday night. Behind the front a low will develop
over the western Tasman Sea early Sunday and then it will move rapidly towards
Northeast Zealand. A very cold and dry air mass will move over the state behind
the front and temperatures will drop significantly. During Monday and Tuesday a
high pressure ridge is expected to develop across the state.
Forecast for Saturday
Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the northeastern inland. Isolated showers
and thunderstorms extending from the west behind westerly change through the
remainder.  Snowfalls developing later on the ranges above 1100 metres. Possible
local hail with thunderstorms about the inland. Fresh and gusty north to
northwest winds, turning squally west to southwest on the slopes and ranges
Forecast for Sunday
Clearing showers in the western and central parts. Scattered showers in the
east. Snow showers on the higher ranges, mostly in the morning. Cold, fresh and
gusty south to southwest winds, squally near the coast.
Forecast for Monday
Isolated showers in the far southeastern inland. Fine elsewhere. Cold southwest
winds.
Forecast for Tuesday
Isolated showers in the far southeastern inland. Fine elsewhere. South to
southwest winds.

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STAT News Service