Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Mar 9/03 - 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 Cooper Creek and for the
Diamantina River. 
A strong wind warning has been issued for Tuesday for Gulf of Carpentaria waters
west of 140E. 
STATE FORECAST
for the rest of Monday and Tuesday
Areas of rain, scattered showers and thunderstorms over Cape York Peninsula and
the Gulf Country. Cloudy over the northwest and central interior with little or
no rain. A few showers about exposed parts of the east coast. Mostly fine
elsewhere with only isolated afternoon showers or thunderstorms over the
southeastern and central interior. Moderate to fresh S/SE winds along the east
coast and light to moderate SE to NE winds inland.  
EXTENDED OUTLOOK
Ex-tropical cyclone Erica continues to move in a generally easterly direction
and although it could possible redevelop into a tropical cyclone it will remain
well to the east and poses no threat to Queensland.    
The monsoon trough is expected to hover over far northern Cape York Peninsula
during the next few days with showers, thunderstorms and areas of rain
persisting in its vicinity. Tropical cyclone Craig located to the north-west of
Darwin is expected to move over the Top End of the Territory over the next few
days and into the Gulf of Carpentaria on Wednesday bringing rain and gale force
winds. There is some evidence that this system will move into the north-west of
the state and bring some good rains to this area mid  week.    
The S/SE winds along most of the east coast will persist well into the week
driven by a slow moving high over the Tasman Sea.   These winds will bring
showers to the east coast. This activity will become more isolated mid week
onwards as the winds ease. 
Over the interior an upper level trough is already producing cloudy conditions
across the northwest of the state.  Over the next few days this trough is
expected to develop and move slowly eastwards.  As a result isolated showers and
storms should develop across the southern interior while cloudy conditions with
some light rain or showers are expected to become more widespread by Wednesday
across the central and southeastern interior.   

---

STAT News Service

The subscriber version of the article is available by Clicking here