Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Dec 21/12 - 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 surface trough extends from the northwest of the state into the southern
interior, and an upper level trough lies across the same area. Ex-Tropical
Cyclone Evan is well east of Australia and is expected to continue moving south
towards the north island of New Zealand. The system is pushing powerful surf
towards Queensland's southeast coast.
Forecast for the rest of Friday
Scattered showers and storms and areas of patchy rain from the northwest of
the state, through the central interior and into the southeast with some
moderate to locally heavy falls possible. Cloudy though mostly fine over
remaining eastern districts south of about Townsville with only isolated light
showers. Isolated showers and storms about the western Peninsula. Mostly fine
elsewhere over the tropics with only isolated light showers. Fine and partly
cloudy in the far southwest. Light to moderate SE to NE winds across most of the
state.
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
region. 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 some activity is still
possible, particularly about the ranges. The likelihood of at least isolated
showers and storms should increase about the tropical east coast as a low level
trough shifts west through the Coral Sea and increases the onshore wind flow.
Light to moderate SE to NE winds across the state, fresh at times about the east
coast.  A high to very high fire danger in the southern interior.
Forecast for Sunday
The upper level trough should extend from the Gulf Country to the Capricornia
region whilst a ridge should extend along the east coast. Meanwhile E to NE
winds should push moisture from the Coral Sea over the east tropical coast, and
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 through the southern and central interior. Mainly isolated showers are
expected about the Capricorn and southeast coasts in an onshore wind flow.
Forecast for Monday
The upper trough should extend from the Gulf Country to the central coast
whilst the ridge along the east coast is expected to weaken. Scattered showers,
thunderstorms and rain areas should continue through most of the tropics tending
more isolated about the Capricornia coast. Meanwhile the southern half of the
state should be mostly fine with only the chance of some isolated showers and
inland thunderstorms, most likely about the southern border ranges.
Forecast for Tuesday
The upper level trough should remain over the far northern tropics, resulting
in scattered showers and storms and patchy areas of rain over the region.  Drier
air associated with a mid level ridge will leave the central districts mainly
fine, though some isolate showers and storms are possible.  A new surface trough
should move across the southern districts and produce scattered showers and
storms over the southern interior.  Mainly fine over the state's southeast,
except for some isolated showers, mainly near the coast.  Above average daytime
temperatures about the southern districts in a northerly wind flow.
Outlook for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Relatively dry southeast winds over inland Queensland should result in the
shower and storm activity contracting into the eastern districts.  Another
trough system is likely to move into the southwest of the state on Thursday,
causing the shower and storm activity to contract inland, ultimately reaching
the western districts by Friday.
The next routine forecast will be issued at 4:45 am EST
Saturday.
Notice Board
Northwest Queensland weather radar installation complete
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This page was created at 17:30 on Friday 21 December 2012 (GMT)
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