Australia -- New South Wales Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Jan 20/09 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of New South Wales was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

Warning Summary:
Fire Weather Warning for the Upper Western, Lower Western, Rivernia
and South West Slopes. Refer to www.bom.gov.au for latest warning and
Rural Fire Service Total Fire Ban information.
Current Weather Situation and Future Developments:
A strengthening high pressure system over the Tasman Sea is moving
slowly east, while maintaining a ridge towards the northern NSW
coast. This high, together with a broad low pressure trough over the
inland, will continue to direct hot and humid north to northwest
winds across most of the state this week. This combination of heat
and moisture in the air will lead to unsettled conditions in many
districts. Later Friday and into Saturday a trough and associated
southerly change will affect the bulk of New South Wales as the high
drifts further away and loses influence. The effects of this change
are likely to be short-lived, however, as the next high moves across
the state to the Tasman Sea during Sunday.
Forecast for Wednesday
Fine in the southwest. Isolated showers and thunderstorms elsewhere,
chiefly in the southeast. Possible rain areas developing over the
northern inland. Northwest to northeast winds.
Fire danger: Very High to Extreme in the South West Slopes. Very High
in the Riverina and Lower Western.
Forecast for Thursday
Fine in the southwest. Isolated showers and thunderstorms elsewhere,
chiefly over the southern tablelands. Rain areas over the northern
inland. Northwest to northeast winds turning southwesterly over the
southern inland.
Forecast for Friday
Fine over the western inland and southern coast. Isolated showers and
thunderstorms elsewhere, becoming scattered in the northeast.
Northeast to northwest winds, and a late southerly change in the
southwest.
Forecast for Saturday
Fine in the south and west. Isolated showers and thunderstorms
elsewhere, tending scattered in the northeast. Southwest to southeast
winds extending thorough most districts, although remaining northerly
in the northeast.

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STAT News Service