Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Aug 26/10 - 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 southeast Gulf of Carpentaria waters.
A strong wind warning is current for east coast waters between Cape Weymouth and
Cairns.
STATE FORECAST
for the rest of Friday and Saturday
Isolated showers over the tropical east coast, developing elsewhere over the
northern interior during the afternoon. Fine elsewhere. High cloud increasing
over western and central parts of the state on Saturday but with no rain. Early
frost patches over the southeast interior on Saturday. Moderate to fresh SW to
SE winds, tending light to moderate SE to NE over the tropical interior.
EXTENDED OUTLOOK
Sunday: A high will move east into southeastern Australia, strengthening a ridge
over the tropical Queensland coast. As a result, onshore SE'ly winds will
increase and showers will become more frequent about the northeast tropical
coast. Isolated showers continuing elsewhere over the tropics to the northeast
of a weak surface trough over the northern interior. Mostly fine conditions
elsewhere with just the chance of isolated showers over the far southeastern
corner of the state. High cloud will extend over central districts in the
morning but contract to sea during the day as an upper trough moves east over
the state. Early frost patches should be restricted to the Granite Belt.
Monday: The high is expected to remain over southeastern Australia with a firm
ridge persisting along most of the east coast and strong SE winds continuing
over waters north of about Bowen. Onshore winds will bring isolated showers to
exposed parts of the east coast, more frequent and widespread about the
northeast tropical coast. Isolated showers will also again develop over the
northern interior and possibly the far northwest in the moist SE to NE flow to
the east of a weak surface trough. Drier S to SE winds and fine conditions
persist elsewhere.
Tuesday: The high moves northeast into the northern Tasman Sea and maintains a
firm ridge and fresh to strong SE winds over the tropical east coast. Isolated
showers continue about the exposed east coast, chiefly in the tropics. The
inland trough has weakened and warm NW to NE winds extend over the interior with
mostly fine conditions, just the chance of isolated afternoon showers in the
relatively moist flow north of about Longreach.
Outlook for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: The high is expected to move slowly
eastwards across the northern Tasman Sea, with strong winds gradually easing
over northern Queensland waters. Isolated showers persist over the northeast
tropical coast. Mostly fine conditions elsewhere over the east coast with just
some early morning fog patches. Very warm NW to NE winds and isolated afternoon
showers persist over the interior ahead of a trough approaching from the west. A
thundery rain band may develop through western parts of the state on Friday as
the trough moves into the area.

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STAT News Service