Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Mar 19/13 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of Queensland was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

Warning Summary at issue time
A Severe Weather Warning for Heavy Rainfall is current for
the Central Coast and Whitsundays and Herbert and Lower Burdekin Forecast
Districts.
A Gale Warning is current for coastal waters between Bowen and St. Lawrence.
A Strong Wind Warning is current for remaining coastal waters between Cardwell
and Bowen and between St. Lawrence and Double Island Point, excluding 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
At 4 am EST, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Tim [1006 hPa] was located approximately 210
kilometres north of Mackay and 260 kilometres east of Townsville and moving
slowly west-northwestwards. The and is expected to move west-northwest during
Wednesday. A high [1027 hPa] over the Tasman Sea extends a firm ridge over the
southern and central coasts of Queensland. A weak surface trough stretches from
the Gulf Country to the southwest interior of Queensland.
Forecast for the rest of Wednesday
Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms over Cape York Peninsula and the
Gulf Country. Scattered showers about the North Tropical Coast district.
Scattered showers, areas of rain and isolated thunderstorms about the Central
Coast, Whitsundays, Herbert and Lower Burdekin districts with moderate to heavy
falls, particularly about the Whitsundays and coastal areas between about Ayr
and Mackay. Scattered showers and patchy rain areas about remaining central
districts and parts of the southeast. Isolated showers over the southeast
interior. Mostly fine in the west with only isolated afternoon showers
developing in the Channel Country. Cool under the cloud in eastern districts.
Fresh and gusty SE winds about the southern coast, reaching strong at times
along the Wide Bay and southern Capricornia coast. Strong E to SE winds about
the central coast and northern Capricornia Coast. Mostly moderate SE to NE winds
over most of the rest of the state.
Forecast for Thursday
The high should move over New Zealand whilst maintaining a strong ridge along
Queensland's east coast.  Ex-Tropical Cyclone Tim should weaken is it moves
westwards across the tropical coast, most likely between Cairns and Townsville
very early in the morning. This will most likely result in widespread showers,
areas of rain and isolated thunderstorms with some heavy falls about the coast
and ranges between about Cooktown and Ingham.  Fresh to strong SE to NE winds
along the tropical coast, easing during the day. Scattered showers and patchy
rain areas over the remainder of the eastern tropics, central districts and
parts of the southeast. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms continuing
over Cape York Peninsula and the Gulf Country. Isolated showers over the central
west and southeast interior. Mostly fine in the rest of state apart from
isolated showers and thunderstorms in the far southwest near the inland trough.
Remaining cool under the cloud in central eastern districts.
Forecast for Friday
The high should lie to the east of New Zealand with a weakening ridge of high
pressure along the east coast of Queensland. Isolated showers about the east
coast north of the Sunshine Coast and spreading into the central interior. These
showers will remain more frequent about the central coast, and tend to rain at
times about the north tropical coast. Scattered showers and thunderstorms to
continue about Cape York Peninsula and the Gulf Country. Isolated showers and
thunderstorms over the southwest and southern interior associated with a surface
trough. Fine in the far southeast of the state. Maximum temperatures above
average in the southwest.
Forecast for Saturday
The high is expected to move further east of New Zealand with the ridge along
the east Queensland coast continuing to weaken. Isolated showers about the east
coast north of Fraser Island, increasing to scattered showers about the north
tropical coast. A trough is expected to move west from the Coral Sea and affect
cape York Peninsula with an increase in showers and thunderstorm, possibly to
areas of rain. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are also likely to
spread over the northwest of the state as the surface trough persists over the
southwest and southern interior, with isolated showers and thunderstorms over
the latter areas. Fine over the southeast. Maximum temperatures above average in
the west and southern interior.
Outlook for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
The ridge should continue to weaken about the east coast, and an associated
easing in the onshore wind flow should allow most of the east coast to be mainly
fine except for the chance of isolated showers, mainly in the tropics initially.
The trough over the far north will lead to further showers, rain areas and
thunderstorms over the northern tropics. The surface trough is expected to move
east across the interior and reach the southeast on Monday, accompanied by
isolated showers and thunderstorms. Showers otherwise redeveloping about
remaining east coastal districts early in the new week.
The next routine forecast will be issued at 4:10 pm EST
Wednesday.
Notice Board
Northwest Queensland weather radar installation complete
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This page was created at 00:45 on Wednesday 20 March 2013 (GMT)
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