Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Feb 18/03 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of Queensland was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

IDQ1070001
WARNING SUMMARY
Flood warnings are current for the Paroo and Lower Warrego Rivers.
STATE FORECAST
for Wednesday
Scattered showers and thunderstorms in the northern tropics with some moderate
to heavy falls about parts of Cape York Peninsula and the Gulf country. A few
showers or thunderstorms over the far west and far southern districts. A few
showers about the east coast. Light to moderate southeast to northeast winds. 
EXTENDED OUTLOOK
The monsoon trough is expected to remain near Torres Strait until the weekend at
least, generating further showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy falls
over Cape York Peninsula and about the Gulf country. A few showers should
continue about the north tropical coast and ranges carried by a moist onshore
airstream.
A trough has stalled near the Queensland-New South Wales border. This system
will produce showers or rain areas and local thunderstorms in border areas
during the next few days. Some moderate falls are possible, more likely in the
southeast Queensland and adjacent parts of New South Wales. Most of inland
Queensland can expect fine weather leading up to the weekend with a few showers
and thunderstorms confined to western and southern districts.
The southern high is expected to shift over the Tasman Sea on Thursday and
freshen SE to E winds  along the Queensland coast, mainly south from Fraser
Island. Rough seas and heavy swells are expected to build in these waters by the
weekend. Lighter SE to E winds are expected north of Fraser Island with mostly
isolated showers tending more frequent north of Townsville.
Computer models differ in weekend weather outlooks for southeast Queensland.
Some suggest a developing upper low could produce widespread rain. This outlook
should become clearer as we approach the weekend.

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STAT News Service

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