Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Aug 22/10 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of Queensland was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

IDQ1070001
WARNING SUMMARY
A strong wind warning is current for Torres Strait to Cooktown.
A strong wind warning is current for Torres Strait to Weipa.
STATE FORECAST
for Sunday night and Monday
Cloudy periods with isolated showers and drizzle about the tropical east coast
and nearby inland. A rain band over the far SW of the state will spread
eastwards into the southern interior by late Sunday, and then contract into the
Southeast Coast district by Monday afternoon. Fine elsewhere except for just the
chance of some isolated afternoon or evening storms Sunday over Channel Country
and Central West districts.  Light to moderate E to NE winds over most of the
state, fresh at times over the northeast tropical coast.  Moderate SW winds
behind a surface trough, which will spread from the Channel Country late on
Sunday to the central districts by late Monday.  Warmer than average
temperatures will continue in the north of the state.
EXTENDED OUTLOOK
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 still produce some very light patchy rain
and cool daytime temperatures. The surface trough should move further northeast
over the state, reaching the central coast by evening. Warmer than average
temperatures continuing ahead of the trough. Cooler southwest winds behind the
surface trough could produce some drizzle, mainly in the morning, about the
Darling Downs. Mainly fine about the central and northeast coasts, except for
some isolated and light showers about the coast and Cape York Peninsula. Fine
elsewhere.
Wednesday: A weak cloud band will produce some patchy light rain areas over the
central and southeast districts, while moist SW winds should produce some
drizzle areas about the Central Highlands and Darling Downs.  Isolated afternoon
showers about the central coast, and also over Cape York Peninsula.  Daytime
temperatures below average beneath the cloud band in the southern and central
districts, and above average in the north of the state.
Thursday: The cloud band will move further north and produce some patchy and
mainly light falls in the central districts.  A ridge extending from the Great
Australian Bight will direct moist SW winds into the southern parts of the
state, and this flow should produce drizzle areas about the southern interior,
Darling Downs and Central Highlands.  A moderate onshore flow should produce
some showers about the northeast tropical coast.  Cool daytime temperatures over
the southern and central areas of the state.
Outlook for Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Mainly fine over the state as a high
moves into the Great Australian Bight and extends a ridge and dry SW to SE winds
over QLD.  The dry air will allow cool morning temperatures to develop about the
central and southern districts, with widespread early morning frost patches
developing about the southern and southeast interior from Friday morning.  Just
isolated showers about the northeast tropics in an onshore flow.

---

STAT News Service