Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Aug 29/10 - 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 coastal waters between Torres Strait and
Bowen.
STATE FORECAST
for the rest of Monday and Tuesday
Isolated showers and patchy rain areas over the tropics and central districts
north of about Emerald, more frequent and widespread along the northeast
tropical coast. Possible isolated thunderstorms over northern Cape York
Peninsula and Torres Strait. Isolated afternoon showers in the northwest.
Isolated showers along the remainder of the east coast. Fine elsewhere. Moderate
to fresh E to SE winds over northern Queensland. Light to moderate mostly SE to
NE winds elsewhere.
EXTENDED OUTLOOK
Tuesday: A high moves northeast into the northern Tasman Sea and maintains a
firm ridge and fresh to strong SE winds over the tropical Queensland coast.
Isolated showers along the east coast in the moist onshore flow, more frequent
along the northeast tropical coast. Isolated afternoon showers over the northern
interior and northwest. Possible isolated late thunderstorms about Western Cape
York Peninsula and the Gulf Country. Fine elsewhere over the state. Warm NW to
NE winds extend over the interior.
Wednesday: The high moves further east over the Tasman Sea and weakens a little.
Strong winds about the tropical east coast contract to north of about Cairns and
develop through the far northeastern Gulf of Carpentaria. Isolated showers along
the northeast tropical coast in the moist onshore flow. Fine in the far
southeast apart from some early morning fog patches. Mostly fine conditions
elsewhere over eastern Queensland with only very isolated showers. Moist NE
winds extend further south over the interior, with very isolated showers over
the northwest developing over the northern Channel Country in the afternoon.
Continuing warm over the interior.
Thursday: The high continues to move slowly eastwards, contracting the strong
winds over the tropical coast to north of about Cooktown. A weak trough moves
east over northern NSW. Warm, moist NE to NW winds extend over central and
southern Queensland to the north of this trough, with very isolated showers over
the interior and possible isolated afternoon thunderstorms over far western
parts. Mostly fine conditions elsewhere with only isolated showers along the
east coast north of about Gladstone and through northern Cape York Peninsula.
Outlook for Friday, Saturday and Sunday: A new high moves east over southern
Australia into the Tasman Sea late Friday, maintaining strong SE winds along the
east coast north of Cooktown. The high directs a moist onshore stream and
generally isolated showers onto the east coast. A deep trough moves into central
Australia on Friday and extends a thundery rain band into far western parts of
Queensland. The trough moves east into southeastern Australia over the weekend,
extending the thundery rain band further east over the interior of Queensland.
Warm NW to NE winds extend over the state ahead of the rain band.

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STAT News Service