Warmer weather to bring the rain
AFTER a dry Tasmanian winter — particularly in the usually damp North West — spring is forecast to be warm and wet.
The Bureau of Meteorology says the North-West had clocked up one its top 10 driest winters on record but the spring rains were coming.
Conditions were much wetter in the state’s south with above average rainfall in and around Hobart and what could be a record-breaking rainy spell on Mt Wellington.
BOM manager of climate services Andrew Watkins said winter was likely to come in as one of the warmest on record despite cold temperatures in some parts of the country, including Tasmania.
“Overall winter was drier than average for every state except NSW,’’ Mr Watkins said.
Zach Willis, 19, ventured out for his first snow experience of the winter on Thursday, throwing snowballs on Mt Wellington.
“I usually go up the mountain a few times each snow season but this has been my first this year,” Mr Willis said.
“I must say I’m looking forward to spring though. I’m pretty keen for some warmer weather.”
BOM said the spring outlook showed an increased likelihood of above average temperatures across the state and a higher chance of an above-average seasonal soaking to make up for the dry winter in the north and western parts of Tasmania.
Winter was very cold in many parts of the state with Liawenee setting a Tasmanian record low temperature with -14.2°C on August 7.
On that day it was 2C colder in the Central Highlands colder than at Casey Station in Antarctica.
Liawenee and the broader Great Lake region will see more snow next week.
Liawenee has a forecast top temperature of 5C on September 1 while Mt Wellington is forecast to receive snow on Monday before conditions become windy on Tuesday.
Nationally, the BOM has forecast above average rainfall for most of eastern Australia this spring due to the potential development of La Niña, as well as warmer ocean temperatures in the eastern Indian Ocean.
Warmer conditions and above average temperatures are likely, especially in the north of Australia and the far southeast including Tasmania.