Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - May 18/12 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of Queensland was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

Warning Summary at issue time
A Strong Wind Warning is current for waters from Torres
Strait to Cooktown.
A Strong Wind Warning has been issued for Northeastern Gulf of Carpentaria
waters north of 11S for this evening.
For the latest warning information please check the Bureau's
web site www.bom.gov.au/qld
Weather Situation
A high [1029 hPa] over the Great Australian Bight extends a firm ridge along
much of the east coast of Queensland. The high will maintain the ridge as it
moves east into southeastern Australia over the weekend. A trough lies over
southeastern Papua New Guinea and will move west towards Torres Strait
today.
Forecast for the rest of Saturday
Isolated showers along the east coast, increasing to scattered on the
northeast tropical coast. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms over
Torres Strait and far northern Cape York Peninsula. Isolated showers over the
tropical interior and northwest, mostly during the afternoon. Fine and sunny
elsewhere. Possible early light frost on the Granite Belt. Moderate to fresh SE
winds along the east coast north of Fraser Island, strong at times north of
Cooktown. Light to moderate SE to NE winds elsewhere.
Forecast for Sunday
An upper trough will begin to amplify into central and southeastern Australia
as the high pressure system moves east into Victoria. This high will maintain a
firm ridge and fresh SE'ly winds along much of the east coast. Conditions will
remain fine over much of the interior of the state, with only isolated showers
over far northern and eastern parts. Isolated showers will persist along the
east coast in the onshore wind flow, increasing to scattered along the north
tropical and central coasts and the adjacent inland due to the presence of a
weak middle level trough.
Forecast for Monday
The upper trough will amplify further as it enters southwestern Queensland,
and in response a surface trough will deepen over the interior of the state.
Instability will subsequently increase, with isolated showers and possible
isolated thunderstorms expected over the central and southern interior near the
surface trough. The high will move slowly east into the Tasman Sea, maintaining
a firm ridge and SE'ly winds along the east Queensland coast. Isolated showers
will continue to move on to the east coast in the onshore wind flow, remaining
more scattered along the east tropical and central coasts. Scattered showers and
possible isolated thunderstorms will occur through Torres Strait and over the
far northern Peninsula. Isolated showers will occur over the tropical  and
southeast interior.
Forecast for Tuesday
The upper trough will weaken and slip south as it progresses east across the
state. However, it should produce sufficient instability to generate scattered
showers over southeast districts, with possible isolated thunderstorms near the
southern border. A new trough will enter the northwestern Coral Sea, producing
rain areas and isolated thunderstorms over northern Cape York Peninsula and
Torres Strait. Scattered showers will also continue on the northeast tropical
coast and adjacent inland. Isolated showers will occur along the remaining east
coast and through the northern and central interior.
Outlook for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
A new upper trough will intensify as it enters the Great Australian Bight on
Wednesday. Moist E'ly winds will drive scattered showers on to much of the east
coast. These showers should be further enhanced, particularly over the tropics
and central coast, due to the approaching upper trough. Showers and isolated
thunderstorms will occur over western districts ahead of the upper trough on
Wednesday, increasing to rain areas and thunderstorms as the trough moves into
western Queensland on Thursday. The trough and associated rain band will most
likely then progress east over eastern districts during Friday. Cool, dry and
gusty S to SW winds will extend over the state in the wake of the trough.
The next routine forecast will be issued at 4:10 pm EST
Saturday.
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This page was created at 21:45 on Friday 18 May 2012 (GMT)
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