Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - May 8/03 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of Queensland was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

IDQ1070001
WARNING SUMMARY
No warnings. 
STATE FORECAST
for Thursday night and Friday
Scattered showers about exposed parts of the east coast and nearby ranges, also
extending as very isolated showers into parts of the Darling Downs. SE winds
easing along the east coast. Fine elsewhere with light to moderate SE to NE
winds. 
EXTENDED OUTLOOK
On Saturday an upper trough is expected begin forming just west of Queensland.
As this trough starts to form cloud in expected to gradually increase in central
parts of the interior. Also moisture levels and cloud over the Herbert & Lower
Burdekin, Central coast and Whitsundays districts are expected to increase as
middle level winds tend more onshore heading into the area ahead of the upper
trough. Winds over coastal waters on Saturday are expected to be in the light to
moderate range, owing to the high pressure ridge along the east coast
significantly weakening. 
During Sunday the upper level trough is expected to begin to amplify over
western Queensland producing a cloud band with areas of rain and local thunder
from the central tropical coast through to the central interior of Queensland.
Mostly fine in the tropics north of Cairns and also mostly fine in SE coast
districts.    
The forecasts for Monday are based on further amplification of the upper trough
over central Queensland which is likely to produce areas of rain and
thunderstorms over most of the eastern Queensland south of about Townsville.
Although the forecast computer models still vary it is likely some scattered
moderate to locally heavy falls are possible from this system. Fine or mostly so
over the remainder of the state. Present indications are that the rain band
contracts to far SE parts during Tuesday.  

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STAT News Service

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