New weather system brews
FORECASTERS are warning of an approaching “big storm and rain event” that could stretch along much of the east coast.
Potentially arriving next week, the deteriorating weather could even bring about an east coast low, one of Australia’s most powerful and dangerous storm systems.
“There are early signs of a big rain and storm event with some forecast models indicating a deepening low pressure system for southern Queensland or northern or eastern New South Wales,” said Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharpe.
It’s still a few days out, however, so the weather models could change.
But before that happens, this week’s storms in the east will continue as will the uncomfortable humidity.
Toowoomba is forecast to reach a high of 30 today, with a minium of 20.
The Toowoomba forecast for Thursday is a high of 30, rising to 34 on Friday, with a minimum of 20 both days.
In addition, Perth is in the grips of a series of scorching days dipping into a heatwave while, for the south east, the temperatures are set to tumble – summer snow is even possible.
The unsettled conditions that have hit Sydney will move northwards on Tuesday.
The city could still see showers and indeed a storm but there won’t be much rain in the gauge and there will be barely any for the rest of the week.
Maximums will generally be in the high twenties for the next seven days with lows of 20C. Humidity will still likely be a feature of this week in Sydney.
Brisbane could also see a storm on Wednesday and Thursday before it becomes more settled towards the end of the week.
A warm week is in store for Queensland’s capital with a high of 32C on Tuesday, reaching 35C by Friday. Dawn minimums will be around 22-24C.
More inclement conditions are due north of Brisbane. Up to 20mm could fall on Bundaberg on Wednesday with around 25mm in Rockhampton. A stormy week in Townsville could see 10mm of rain on Tuesday, 10-25mm on Wednesday and more showers on Thursday and Friday.
Across The Bight and the temperatures are headed in the opposite direction, said Sky’s Mr Sharpe.
“Friday looks to be the coldest day of the week for southeastern regions and there will even be some Alpine snow with this event.”
Adelaide will peak at 26C on Tuesday and then it gradually heads down as the week progresses with 22C on Wednesday and a high of just 19C on a cloudy Friday. Lows will be around 14C. There could be light rain on Thursday.
It will be cooler still in Melbourne after a hot weekend. A high of 23C on Tuesday will become just 17C on Friday with mid teen lows. Like Adelaide, Thursday could see some showers.
That snow could fall on the resorts, like Mt Hotham and Falls Creek, on Friday as temperatures sink to below freezing in high summer.
On Tuesday, Hobart is forecast to get to 25C and then expect maximums of around 20C for the remainder of the week. A minimum of 15C early on Tuesday and just 9C on Friday.
Canberra will have midtwenties maximums until Thursday – up to 28C on Wednesday – before a drop to 17C on a grey Friday.
Temperatures will drop to the mid teens at dawn.