Snow chance of escaping the cold

PARTS of the Granite Belt today could see snow with temperatures plummeting across the southeast as an icy blast rolls in from the south.

Gold Coast and Brisbane will have maximum temperatures of just 18C while Toowoomba will plummet to a frosty 10C.

With clear skies accompanying the chilly winds, the warmest spot actually will be in the waters of the Gold Coast, as the sea surface temperature holds to a pleasant 22C.

Meteorologist Michael Gray said sea surface temperatures were often warmer than outside temperatures in early June. “The water has been heating around summer so it takes some time to cool down again. It is not unusual to see the water warmer than outside temperatures at this time of year,” Mr Gray said.

On the Granite Belt, the Bureau of Meteorology said temperatures are expected to drop close to freezing and below zero in Stanthorpe and surrounds.

Mr Gray said Stanthorpe residents will shiver in temperatures as low as -2C this morning yet 20km/h winds will make it feel like -8C.

He said there was also a 20 per cent chance of snow in the higher terrain south of Stanthorpe, as a low-pressure system in NSW pushes a cold front with very dry cold air into southern Queensland.

Thankfully the cold temperatures are not set to last.

“We should have colder temperatures through Tuesday and Wednesday and then head back to more normal conditions for this time of year,” Mr Gray said.

IT IS NOT UNUSUAL TO SEE THE WATER WARMER THAN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES AT THIS TIME OF YEAR METEOROLOGIST MICHAEL GRAY