Channel Country braces for 90kph winds, rain forecast for Queensland's south-east
The unseasonal winter rain is expected to bring falls of 10 to 30 millimetres to the Gold and Sunshine coasts.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has predicted rain will reach the south-east by Saturday afternoon and clear by Sunday morning.
Senior meteorologist Jonathan How said the fast-moving front would bring some showers to central Queensland from north of the Sunshine Coast up to Moranbah.
"We are expecting anywhere from 5 to 15mm there, but we could see some higher isolated falls with thunderstorms," he said.
Mr How said the cloudband would move offshore by Sunday, when dry conditions would return to southern and central Queensland.
"It's not going to be too cold — temperatures will remain between the high teens and early 20s on Sunday," he said.
Mr How said temperatures further inland would be slightly below average and could dip below 0 degrees Celsius.
He said the Darling Downs, Maranoa and Warrego would likely see some frost this morning.
Western and north-west Queensland will see unseasonably high temperatures today, with some parts of the outback set to be 10C above the average for this time of year.
The BOM has issued a damaging wind warning for the Channel Country, where winds could reach 90 kilometres per hour.
The intense conditions have created an elevated fire risk and could also raise dust.
North-west Queensland has a high fire danger rating and the Channel Country is at extreme risk of fire.
The same cold front impacting the south-east will move across Western Queensland on Saturday morning and provide some relief to the region.
"Most of the rain will be south of Mount Isa, likely to the east towards Winton, Longreach and Hughenden," Mr How said.
Mr How said it was unusual to see a cold front extend all the way from the state's south-east up to the north-west during winter.
"Normally we don't see those cold fronts reach as far as Julia Creek or Richmond at this time of year," he said.
The BOM predicted north Queensland would be spared from the cold front, where showers were only expected as far north as Charters Towers.
"We're not expecting much rain at all for areas north of Townsville," Mr How said.
North and Far North Queensland are expected to enjoy above-average winter temperatures.
"Sticking around a maximum of 27C in Townsville and possibly reaching 30C in Cairns," Mr How said.
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