Relief from heat short lived as centre swelters

TOP Enders should make the most of an expected cool change today as forecasters warn the relief from the heat is not likely to last.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Sally Cutter said while Darwin would likely see a top of about 30C today and tomorrow it would be right back to Build Up-like conditions later in the week.

“Probably for a day or two we will see the temperatures start to drop a bit as the weather picks up (today) and Monday but unfortunately any low that does form is going to be moving off through the Timor Sea so we’ll see an end to the reduced temperatures,” she said.

“At this stage Sunday and Monday temperatures will be around 30 degrees and then creeping back up to 34 by next weekend for Darwin.”

But Ms Cutter said there was the potential for some showers and storms in the next 48 hours or so before the heat returned.

“We’ve got a few popping up around the coast overnight and we could see some showers and storms coming through,” she said.

Meanwhile, further south in the Red Centre the news was even bleaker, which Ms Cutter summed up in two words. “Just hot,” she said. “There’s no relief in sight for them down there. There might be the odd storm around (today) but that’s really going to be about it.”

If expected showers and thunderstorms eventuate today Darwin is now expected to receive between 15mm and 40mm of rain.

A trough expected to develop off the Territory coast today is still considered a low risk of reaching cyclone strength and is expected to move west away from shore tomorrow and Tuesday.