Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Feb 2/03 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of Queensland was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

IDQ1070001
WARNING SUMMARY
A gale and strong wind warning is current for coastal waters between Mackay and
Coolangatta.
A severe weather warning is current for coastal and island communities between
Sandy Cape and Coolangatta.  
STATE FORECAST
for Sunday night and Monday
A few showers and thunderstorms over the northern tropics and in a broad band
over the west of the state and over the remaining tropics on Monday. A few
showers about the east coast increasing to rain about the south-east corner on
Monday. Strong to gale force winds along the coast south of Mackay. Mostly
moderate SE winds elsewhere. 
EXTENDED OUTLOOK
Ex Tropical Cyclone Beni will continue to move towards the central Queensland 
coast over the next few days while the high moves across the Tasman Sea towards
New Zealand. Consequently, strong to gale force SE winds will continue on the
coast south of Mackay before beginning to ease during Tuesday. The upper trough
over southern Qld will sharpen and cutoff on Monday and then move northwards
into central Qld on Tuesday. This, in conjunction with the moist SE/E winds
across southern and central Queensland will produce widespread areas of rain
over much of the south-east quarter during the first half of the week. Some
moderate to heavy falls will occur initially about the far southern coast but
will extend into other areas of the south-east on Tuesday. The upper low will
begin to weaken and slip southwards during Wednesday and Thursday. So while some
rain will continue during Wednesday over the south-east it will break to showers
on Thursday. Dry air will push through the southern interior on Monday and then
through much of the west on Tuesday and Wednesday thus keeping conditions fine.
Over most of the tropics conditions will continue sultry well into the latter
part of the week with showers and storms in various parts.  

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STAT News Service

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