Brace yourselves for a chilly weekend, too

Even colder than Brissy

TOWNSVILLE recorded its chilliest morning in three years yesterday, with the city waking to colder temperatures than those felt in Brisbane.

The cold snap saw Richmond and Hughenden recording colder starts to the day than towns on the famously frigid Granite Belt.

Townsville recorded a low of 6.9C at 6.30am but the windchill factor meant it felt more like 3.9C.

By comparison, Brisbane residents woke up to a low of 10.5C at 6.30am.

Hughenden recorded a low temperature of 0.2C at 7.10am but it felt more like - 3.9C owing to the windchill.

In Richmond, the actual temperature plummeted to just 1C but the apparent temperature was - 4.8C.

Applethorpe, on the Granite Belt, recorded a low of 1.8C but the windchill factor at 5am meant it felt like - 3.2C.

The cold snap is expected to continue today, with more frost expected inland.

Townsville forecaster Mario Torrisi said the city had been about 7C colder than the July average of 13.6C.

“It was our coldest morning since August 12 in 2012 when the minimum got down to 6.4C,” he said.

“Up until 5am ( yesterday), the temperature had been sitting above 12C but it fell sharply when the wind dropped off.

“When the wind blows, the temperature is usually a bit higher but the chill factor makes it feel colder.

“You can’t just

look

at the absolute temperature. You also have to look at the comfort level.”

Elsewhere, Ayr got down to 4C, Bowen bottomed out at 5.7C and Charters Towers and Ingham hit lows of 7C.

Mr Torrisi said conditions would warm up slightly tomorrow and Friday owing to the expected arrival of onshore winds, which would result in increasing humidity levels.

But he said the “slightly” warmer conditions on the way would not last long.

“We are expecting another burst of cold and dry air to come through on Friday with cold conditions returning for the weekend,” he said.

The coldest town Queensland yesterday Clermont, with - 2C.

Townsville is expecting a low of 7C today, with a maximum of 24C.

Ayr is expecting a frosty start, with just 4C predicted.

in was