Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Aug 21/10 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of Queensland was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

IDQ1070001
WARNING SUMMARY
A strong wind warning has been issued for east coast waters between Torres
Strait and Cooktown for Sunday.
A strong wind warning has been issued for northeastern Gulf of Carpentaria
waters between Torres Strait and Weipa for Sunday.
STATE FORECAST
for Saturday night and Sunday
Fine over much of the state for the rest of Saturday, except for cloudy periods
with light showers or drizzle about the northeast and central coasts, and also
about the Central Highlands and northern Goldfields.  A rain band is expected to
extend into over the far SW of the state from the west during Sunday, and there
is just the chance of some very isolated afternoon storms over the northeast
parts of the Channel Country and parts of the Central West district. Light to
moderate E to SE winds over most of the state, fresh at times over the northeast
tropical coast.  Light to moderate N to NE winds developing in the west during
Sunday with warmer than average daytime temperatures.  Cool in the south with
widespread morning frosts about the southern interior.
EXTENDED OUTLOOK
Monday: The upper trough will extend the rain band further eastwards over
southern Queensland, while a surface trough will move to the northeast through
central QLD. Morning drizzle areas again possible over the northeastern
districts in the moist NE flow ahead of the trough. Strong SE winds about the
north tropical coast will gradually contract northwards as the high moves slowly
east over the Tasman Sea. Frost is unlikely about the southern districts, due to
warmer northerly winds. Warmer than average daytime temperatures will continue
in the north of the state.
Tuesday: The upper trough will move into the Tasman Sea and contract most of the
rain areas off the southeast coast by late morning, but a cloud band will remain
over the southern districts and should keep daytime temperatures cool beneath
it. The surface trough should move further northeast over the state, reaching
the central coast by evening. Warmer than average daytime temperatures ahead of
the trough. Southwest winds behind the surface trough could produce some mainly
morning drizzle about the Darling Downs. Isolated showers about the central
coast and interior, and about the northeastern tropics. Fine elsewhere.
Wednesday: Patchy rain areas over the southern districts as a cloud band
develops whilst an upper level trough passes over southeast Australia. Isolated
showers and drizzle areas continuing about the Central Highlands and parts of
the central and northeast coasts.  Daytime temperatures below average beneath
the cloud band in the southern districts, and above average in the north of the
state.
Outlook for Thursday, Friday and Saturday: The weak cloud band with some
patchy rain will move slowly northwards and will finally move out of the state
on Friday as an upper trough moves east over the Tasman Sea. Dry SW to SE winds
spreading across most of the state by Thursday, leaving shower confined to the
far northern tropics.

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STAT News Service