MELBOURNE - Apr 4/13 - 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 waters from Torres Strait to Point Danger, including Hervey Bay and Moreton Bay. A Strong Wind Warning is current for Northeast Gulf of Carpentaria coastal waters north of Crab Island. For the latest warning information please check the Bureau's web site www.bom.gov.au/qld Weather Situation A high near Tasmania extends a firm ridge along the east coast of Queensland. The high will maintain the firm ridge as it moves slowly east into the Tasman Sea today. The high will then weaken as it shifts east towards New Zealand over the weekend, gradually relaxing the ridge. A new upper trough will develop over central Australia during today. Forecast for the rest of Friday High cloud increasing through western Queensland though with little to no rain. Isolated to scattered showers about eastern districts, with isolated showers also developing about the central interior near the Carnarvon Ranges in the afternoon. Isolated showers through the northern tropics, with possible isolated thunderstorms through northern stretches of Torres Strait and near the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast. A cool day through much of the southeast of the state. A Very High fire danger in the North West District. Fresh to strong and gusty SE winds about the east coast, moderate to fresh SE to NE winds elsewhere. Forecast for Saturday The upper level trough will move into southwestern Queensland, extending high cloud from the west of the state through central districts and the southeastern interior. Patchy, mostly light rain and isolated showers will occur under the cloud, with possible isolated gusty storms nearer to the upper trough over southwestern parts. The high will remain slow moving in the Tasman Sea, maintaining a firm ridge along the east Queensland coast. Fresh to strong and gusty SE'ly winds and isolated to scattered showers will persist about eastern districts. Isolated thunderstorms will remain possible through the far northern Peninsula and southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast under a moist and marginally unstable airmass. Maximum temperatures will remain 2 to 4 degrees below the April average over the southeast of the state, and these cooler conditions will extend into central parts and the southern tropics under increasing cloud. Forecast for Sunday The upper level trough is expected to move eastwards across the southern interior, extending the cloud and patchy rain through southern and central districts. The upper trough should generate enough instability for isolated thunderstorms to occur over southern districts and the Capricornia. The high in the Tasman Sea will start to weaken as it moves towards New Zealand. Fresh to strong SE winds will continue over northern Queensland waters. Scattered showers will occur about the central and east tropical coasts and adjacent inland in the onshore flow, with possible storms north of about Cardwell. Showers and thunderstorm should increase through Torres Strait as a trough approaches the area, while more isolated showers and possible thunderstorms will persist about the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast. Temperatures will remain below the April average over much of central and southeastern Queensland. Forecast for Monday The upper level trough should contract off the southern Queensland coast but instability will be sufficient about the southeast to lead to scattered showers and possible isolated thunderstorms. Scattered showers should persist along much of the east coast as a new high becomes established to the south of Tasmania and directs fresh to strong SE winds onto the east coast. Showers and thunderstorms with some rain areas should persist through Torres Strait, with scattered showers and thunderstorms across the remainder of the far northeast of the state. Mostly fine over the eastern interior with only isolated showers. Fine and mostly sunny elsewhere. Outlook for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday A new upper trough will move north through New South Wales on Tuesday and most likely enter southern Queensland on Wednesday, extending further north through central Queensland on Thursday. Shower activity could therefore remain scattered with possible isolated thunderstorms about the southeast of the state and extending west to the Carnarvon Ranges. The new high will move east over the Southern Ocean and enter the Tasman Sea on Wednesday, reinforcing the ridge and extending fresh to strong S to SE winds and isolated to scattered showers over eastern districts. A moist and unstable airmass will persist over northern Cape York Peninsula and Torres Strait, with rain areas, showers and isolated thunderstorms expected. Much of western Queensland should remain fine and mostly sunny through the outlook period. Maximum temperatures will remain generally cooler than the April average in the east and warmer in the west. The next routine forecast will be issued at 4:10 pm EST Friday. 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