Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Mar 4/03 - 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 Thomson River and tributaries and the
Diamantina River. 
A strong wind warning is current for coastal waters between Townsville and
Burnett Heads. 
STATE FORECAST
for Wednesday
Isolated showers and thunderstorms over the northern tropics and Gulf Country. A
few showers in eastern districts with some rain areas possibly developing along
the central coast later in the day. Some high cloud over southern parts but no
rain. Moderate southeast winds over central and southern districts, strong about
the central and Capricorn coasts.
EXTENDED OUTLOOK
A broad high pressure belt will be a feature in the Tasman Sea for much of the
week, extending a firm ridge to Queensland south coast. Tropical Cyclone ERICA
is forecast to start moving north or northwest and will have no direct effect on
the east coast for the next couple of days. The combination of the cyclone and
the ridge will maintain fresh to strong southeast winds along the Central and
Capricorn coasts extending to the north tropical coast as the cyclone moves
north. Some rain areas could move back onto the central coast tonight, gradually
extending up onto the north tropical coast later in the week. Some showers and
thunderstorms will continue in the northern tropics and develop  around the Gulf
Country . Some high cloud will skirt across southern parts but no rain is
expected. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop over the west
and south of the state during the later part of the week under the influence of
a surface and upper trough.

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STAT News Service

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