Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Dec 19/12 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of Queensland was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

Warning Summary at issue time
For the latest warning information please check the Bureau's
web site www.bom.gov.au/qld
Weather Situation
A slow moving surface trough extends from the northwest of the state into the
southern interior. An upper level trough is moving east over southern Queensland
and is expected to contract off the southeast coast late today. Tropical Cyclone
Evan lies over the far eastern Coral Sea [well east of 170E] and is expected to
continue moving south towards the north island of New Zealand. Powerful surf
generated by the cyclone is expected to affect the southern Queensland coast
over the next few days
Forecast for the rest of Thursday
Scattered showers, thunderstorms and rain areas developing in a band from the
Gulf Country through the central, southern and southeast interior east of
Charleville. Moderate falls are likely, locally heavy with storms. Some of the
storm activity will likely be severe and warnings will be issued as necessary.
More isolated showers and thunderstorms through remaining parts of western
Queensland and the western Peninsula. Cloud increasing over  eastern districts
south of Mackay with some patchy light rain developing and isolated
thunderstorms inland, possibly reaching the Gold Coast late in the day.  Mostly
fine over the east tropical coast with only isolated light morning showers. Cool
day time temperatures under the thicker cloud through the interior. Light to
moderate NW to NE winds over most of the state. Moderate to fresh S to SE winds
in the far southwest. A Very High fire danger in the Central Highlands and
Coalfields district.
Forecast for Friday
The surface trough will remain anchored through the northwest of the state
but shift a little further east through the southeast interior. A new upper
trough will most likely enter far southwestern Queensland. Scattered showers,
patchy rain and thunderstorms will occur near the trough from the northwest of
the state, through the central interior and into the southeast with some
moderate falls likely, locally heavy with storms. Thunderstorms will focus
through inland parts though may reach the far southeast coast late in the day.
Cloudy conditions will occur through remaining eastern districts south of about
Townsville though with only isolated light showers expected. Isolated showers
and storms will continue about the western Peninsula, with mostly fine
conditions through the northeastern tropics. Fine and partly cloudy conditions
are expected in the far southwest.
Forecast for Saturday
A high in the Tasman Sea should extend a ridge along the east coast of
Queensland, with the surface trough retreating west as a result. The upper level
trough will move north to extend from the northwest of the state to the Warrego.
Showers and thunderstorms will therefore focus through western districts and the
western Gulf Country near the troughs. Mostly cloudy conditions will persist
through central districts and the southern tropics with isolated showers and
possible inland thunderstorms. Shower and storm activity should decrease through
the southeast as the trough retreats west, though is still likely about the
ranges. The likelihood of isolated showers about the northeast tropical coast
increases as a low level trough shifts west through the Coral Sea and increases
the onshore wind flow on to the coast.
Forecast for Sunday
The upper level trough should contract a little further north to extend from
the Gulf Country to the Capricornia. The trough over the Coral Sea will most
likely shift further west on to the east tropical coast, extending moist E to NE
winds through northern Queensland. This will combine with the upper trough to
generate rain areas, showers and storms through the tropics and northern central
districts. More isolated showers and storms are expected through the southern
and central interior. Isolated showers will occur about the Capricorn and
southeast coasts in an onshore wind flow, scattered about the exposed coast
during the morning.
Outlook for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
The upper trough should extend from the Gulf Country to the central coast
during Monday before most likely contracting north through the tropics towards
the Peninsula district during Tuesday and Wednesday. Showers and thunderstorms
will occur to its north, decreasing to isolated showers over tropical areas to
its south. A new trough will most likely enter far southwestern Queensland early
Tuesday and move rapidly east, reaching the southeast coast early Wednesday.
This trough is expected to generate isolated showers and storms with its
passage. Warm to hot daytime temperatures will also extend through southern
districts ahead of the trough before a cooler S'ly change extends north during
Wednesday.
The next routine forecast will be issued at 4:10 pm EST
Thursday.
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This page was created at 04:45 on Thursday 20 December 2012 (GMT)
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