Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Mar 5/13 - 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 coastal waters between
Cairns and Point Danger, including Hervey Bay.
Flood warnings are current for various rivers and streams.
For the latest warning information please check the Bureau's
web site www.bom.gov.au/qld
Weather Situation
A high [1026 hPa] over the Tasman Sea extends a firm ridge along the southern
and central Queensland coasts. The high is expected to move slowly eastwards
over the next few days while gradually extending the ridge northwards along the
Queensland east coast. The monsoon trough is situated across northern Queensland
and over the northern Coral Sea. A low [1001 hPa] is situated along the monsoon
trough, approximately 400 kilometres east-northeast of Townsville, and it is
expected to deepen while moving in a general eastwards direction away from the
Queensland coast over the next few days. An upper low situated over northeastern
South Australia will otherwise gradually move northwards over far southwest
Queensland during the next couple of days.
Forecast for the rest of Tuesday
Areas of rain, scattered showers and thunderstorms over the northern and
eastern tropics with moderate to heavy falls, particularly about the east coast
and adjacent inland areas between about Cairns and Sarina. Scattered showers and
thunderstorms over the tropical and central interior, spreading to areas of rain
over western districts, with moderate to locally heavy falls. Scattered showers
over remaining eastern and southeast districts, mainly about the coast and
adjacent inland areas. Moderate to fresh SE to NE winds, fresh to strong and
gusty along the southern and central coasts. Generally moderate to fresh SW to
NW winds across the northern tropics.
Forecast for Wednesday
Areas of rain, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected across the
northern and eastern tropics with moderate to heavy falls, particularly about
the east coast and ranges between about Cairns and Mackay. Scattered showers and
thunderstorms are likely to continue over the remainder of the tropics and also
over most western districts, with moderate to locally heavy falls about the
Channel Country. Scattered showers will persist about most remaining eastern and
southeast districts, though should mainly be about the coast and adjacent inland
areas. Isolated showers and morning drizzle areas are possible over the central
and southeastern interior. A fine and mostly sunny day is expected over the
southern interior. Moderate to fresh SE to NE winds, fresh to strong and gusty
along much of the east coast. Generally moderate to fresh SW to NW winds across
the northern tropics.
Forecast for Thursday
The upper level low will maintain unstable conditions over western
Queensland, with scattered showers and thunderstorms with moderate to locally
heavy falls extending through most western districts. In the north, the
monsoonal flow will continue to support scattered showers and thunderstorms,
with rain areas in the far north with moderate to locally heavy falls possible.
The firm ridge will remain in place along the east coast, and this should
continue to produce scattered showers along the east coast and adjacent inland
areas. Fine and mostly sunny conditions are expected over the southern interior.
The low over the central Coral Sea is likely to develop further as the monsoonal
flow to the north interacts with the stronger SE winds from the south. The
deepening low is expected to remain well offshore of the north tropical
Queensland coast.
Forecast for Friday
The upper level low is likely to move over northwest Queensland and
eventually weaken over the tropical interior. Meanwhile, the high over the
southern Tasman Sea is expected to move slowly eastwards but will maintain a
firm ridge with fresh to strong onshore winds and scattered showers along the
east Queensland coast and nearby inland. The monsoon trough is expected to lie
over the far northern tropics and combined with the upper level low over
northwest Queensland is expected to produce scattered showers and thunderstorms
over the northern tropics. The developing low is expected to be situated over
the northern and central Coral Sea and there is a high chance of that it will
develop into a tropical cyclone, but it should continue to be located well
offshore of the north tropical Queensland coast.
Forecast for Saturday
The monsoon trough will extend across the far northern tropics. The
developing low is expected to be situated over the northern and central Coral
Sea and there is high chance that it will have formed into a tropical cyclone by
this stage. The high in the Tasman Sea should continue to move slowly eastwards
while maintaining a firm ridge along the Queensland east coast. Scattered
showers will persist along much of the east coast and adjacent inland areas.
Isolated showers are possible about the eastern interior. Isolated to scattered
shower and thunderstorm activity should occur about the Gulf Country and
Peninsula districts, tending to monsoonal rain and thunderstorms about Torres
Strait. Fine and mostly sunny conditions should occur over most western
districts.
Outlook for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
A monsoonal wind flow should persist through the Torres Strait and over
northern Cape York Peninsula, with scattered showers and thunderstorms expected
in this area and over the remaining northern tropics. The high over the Tasman
Sea should move eastwards towards New Zealand but will maintain a firm ridge
with fresh to strong onshore winds and scattered showers about the east
Queensland coast. The low or tropical cyclone over the north central Coral Sea
is expected to remain well offshore of the north tropical Queensland coast
during this period.
The next routine forecast will be issued at 4:45 am EST
Wednesday.
Notice Board
Northwest Queensland weather radar installation complete
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This page was created at 17:45 on Tuesday  5 March 2013 (GMT)
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