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News.com.au
2 days ago
- Climate
- News.com.au
‘Unseasonable': Cold snap sets stage for wild bout of wet weather in Qld, NSW Cold snap sets stage for ‘unseasonably' wild weather
Australia's east coast is gearing up for a bout of 'unseasonable' wet conditions, as a new surface trough threatens to dump rainfall totals up to 300mm over the next week. A new surface trough forming in Far North Queensland is forecast to bring wet weather through the Sunshine State over Saturday, building through the day all the way from the Gulf Coast, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. BOM Meteorologist Jonathan How said this was 'unseasonable' due to Far North Queensland being in the dry season. 'As we head into Sunday, we see showers and areas of rain building all the way down the coast towards Mackay and Rockhampton,' he said. Cloud cover and rain systems are expected to remain in the area as the system heads further south, with some areas likely to experience between 10-25mm on Monday night and in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Over Monday, the rain system is expected to creep into southeast Queensland and then northeast NSW. Weatherzone states rainfall accumulations of 100-200mm are possible over a period of 36-48 hours to Thursday next week, across parts of the Mid North Coast and Hunter, possibly extending as far south as the South Coast. 'The deep feed of moisture coming off the Tasman Sea could interact with local topography around the Mid North Coast, Hunter and Central Coast, with rainfall totals reaching 300mm possible in some parts,' a Weatherzone spokesman said. The low pressure system is forecast to move down past the New South Wales Central Coast on Tuesday, bringing heavy rain to parts of the Hunter, the Illawarra and Sydney. The system is also expected to intensify as it makes its way past Sydney, so damaging winds and lashing coastal wave patterns can be expected until Wednesday at the earliest and possibly even Thursday. It is understood the NSW State Emergency Service is currently engaged with the Bureau of Meteorology to make sure its various branches, particularly those along coastal NSW, are appropriately informed, equipped and prepared to tackle any situations which would be most likely to arise late on Tuesday or throughout Wednesday. An SES spokesperson said the organisation was 'encouraging residents to stay informed about possible severe weather next week'. 'The Bureau of Meteorology advises a low-pressure system might develop off the NSW Coast, which could impact NSW from as early as next Monday through to Thursday, depending on where it forms,' the spokesperson said. 'Potential impacts include widespread moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, damaging winds along the NSW Coast and large powerful surf. Coastal riverine and flash flooding may occur.' 'We do not know exactly where or if it will, but we are preparing SES personnel and assets right along the NSW Coast. There is a high degree of uncertainty as to whether the low will form close to the coast or further offshore.' An operational update published on Thursday said the SES had received more than 1,400 calls and responded to several hundred incidents 'as damaging winds lashed the Illawarra South Coast, Snowy Mountains, Blue Mountains, Sydney Metro and parts of the Central Coast and Hunter'.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Millions of Aussies to shiver through a frosty weekend after temperatures plummet
Baby, it's cold outside! If you found it difficult to get out of bed and brave the cold on Friday, you're not alone. Temperatures barely climbed above zero in many cities and towns around the country this morning, and even regions not usually associated with cold weather couldn't escape the wintery conditions. Burketown on the Gulf coast in north Queensland dropped to 6.8 degrees, its lowest recorded June temperature since 2007. It was 5.2 degrees in Brisbane, the city's coldest June day since 2014. On the Gold Coast, where people go to escape the winter, it got as cold as 2.4 degrees. Just west of Brisbane at Oakey, near Toowoomba, temperatures dropped to -5.1 degrees, the coldest June day in 15 years. Glen Innes in northern NSW dropped to -6.5 degrees, while it was -5.5 in Canberra, 2.6 at Melbourne Airport and 2.3 at Hobart Airport. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jonathan How told Yahoo News a dominant, slow moving high pressure system sitting over eastern Australia is to blame for the cold weather. 'When it is so slow moving it means days and days of very clear skies and very dry air,' How said. 'The combination of that means there is plenty of cooling once the sun goes down and temperatures are able to plummet. 'So we are stuck with this very slow ridge of high pressure and it's sticking around over the weekend as well.' Queenslanders in particular were taken by surprise at the frost many of them woke to on Friday and shared pictures online. Chris McFerran shared aerial photos from the Warwick region, southwest of Queensland, where a frost covered vast paddocks. He said it was as cold as -3.7 degrees in Warwick and -5 degrees near Stanthorpe. Aussies in eastern, central and southern parts of the country will see more cold mornings and frost over the weekend and into next week. How said the minimum overnight temperatures will start to rise from Monday. Those in Adelaide and the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas will get some showers on Saturday, before a stronger cold front brings more showers and strong winds to the southern states on Monday. Residents in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, ACT and southern parts of NSW will wake to single-digit temperatures for the next seven days at least. Conditions remain ideal for skiing and snowboarding in Australia's alpine regions. Freezing temperatures will be suitable for snowmaking, but How said the next snowfall is not expected until Sunday night or Monday morning. As many Aussies look for ways to tackle the cold, a warning has been issued after a home was accidentally set on fire by bed sheets drying in front of a wood heater. The family had set up the sheets on a clotheshorse inside the living room of their home in Tatura, Victoria, when it caught alight in less than an hour and quickly spread across the room and into the ceiling. The heat was so strong it blew out several windows in the kitchen, Tatura Fire Brigade Captain and Incident Controller Peter Bevan said. 'There is extensive damage to the living area, and the curtains and carpets are all destroyed. The smoke managed to affect 80 per cent of the house," he said. He said the incident serves as a reminder to residents to keep items drying at least one metre away from all heating sources. CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said it shows just how quickly accidents can happen — even if the residents are home. 'It goes without saying, but please reconsider where you place your washing to dry. It's a popular set up to place them near our heaters and wood fires, but it's a mistake that can be easily avoided.' Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The Guardian
06-06-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
Wintery long weekend to deliver snowy start to Australia's ski season
The King's birthday long weekend could be the snowiest start to an Australian ski season in years, forecasters predict. Weatherzone said up to 70cm of snow could accumulate at the higher resorts by Tuesday evening, with at least 15cm to 30cm at lower resorts. A strong cold front in the Great Australian Bight will move in overnight, weatherzone meteorologists said, bringing with it dumps of snow. Jonathan How, from the Bureau of Meteorology, said south-east Australia can expect 'very cold' and windy conditions over the three-day weekend. Melbourne is forecast for a high of 15C on Saturday and a low of 6C on Monday. The weekend in Sydney should be mostly sunny with possible showers, with expectations of a high of 19C on Saturday followed by 8C on Monday, the bureau said. On Friday, a severe weather warning was issued for South Australia and south-west Victoria. Rain is predicted to break a record drought for the region. Damaging winds could top 90km/h on Friday, impacting parts of Victoria, including the Otway ranges and Mornington Peninsula. Gusts are predicted to increase and move into South Australia on Friday afternoon, reaching Adelaide and the Mount Lofty ranges. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The strong winds will continue on Saturday through Victoria and SA, the bureau said. The coldest weather will arrive in a second cold front, which will reach SA potentially on Sunday morning, bringing thunderstorms and hail. Adelaide has a predicted high of 17C on Saturday and low of 6C on Monday. Melbourne will not be impacted by the damaging winds on Friday, but the city will experience a strong wind chill and showers that will also reach the Yarra Valley and Macedon Ranges. The cold front will move into south-east NSW by Friday evening. How cautioned black ice will pose a risk over the weekend across NSW and Victoria. 'Take care if you are heading up to the slopes this weekend for the snow,' he said. Snow showers are predicted across the alps of Victoria and NSW, with snow levels in those regions predicted to drop to 1,500m by Friday. Snow levels will fall further on Saturday to about 1,150m. How said he expected high snow accumulation between 30cm and 70cm around alpine ski resorts, with the potential to move to lower regions. 'We may even see some blizzard conditions across some of those alpine peaks,' he said. On Sunday, snow levels are expected to fall to 800m in Victoria and NSW and 900m in western Victoria, including the Grampians. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion In Tasmania the snow level is predicted to drop to 1,000m on Saturday. Hobart is set for a chilly low of 4C on Sunday and maximum of 15C on Saturday. Despite what looks to be a snowy beginning to the ski season, a warm winter is forecast for Australia. Professor Emeritus David Karoly, from the University of Melbourne and the Australian Climate Council, said there is clear evidence of snow cover declining and snow season length reducing due to global warming. 'It's long-term warming due to human-caused climate change from burning fossil fuels,' he said. Karoly said last year's snow season started similarly to this year, with relatively good snow early on, but due to high temperatures and low snowfall there was not enough to maintain snow for the whole season. He said the impact of climate change from Australian and global emissions, with a new world record for climate pollution set in 2024, will cause continued decline in snow cover and snow season length until at least 2050 – the current target date for net zero emissions. 'By that stage there will be very, very few commercially viable ski areas in Australia even with increases in snowmaking on the resorts,' he said. He said lack of action from powerful countries like the US to reduce their emissions and the Australian government's expansion of the North West Shelf pas project 'will make it virtually impossible to meet its commitments for zero emissions by 2050'.
West Australian
05-06-2025
- Climate
- West Australian
‘Blizzard conditions': Millions brace for icy chill as cold front settles for King's Birthday weekend
More cold weather is on the way as the majority of the country bundles up for an icy long weekend of thunderstorms, widespread rain, hail and snow. As a cold front crawls across the country – and another one is on the way – millions are waking to icier than normal conditions. Queensland residents experienced a cool start to the day. It was 11C in Brisbane on Friday morning and even cooler in suburbs including Gatton and Ipswich. It was a similar story in Sydney, where residents woke up to a chilly 7C in the city and 1C in the western of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathan How said the cold front would stick around for the long weekend, stretching across Victoria, Tasmania, and southern NSW. 'It will be very windy as well,' he said. In addition to the wind and wintry temperatures, a band of rain is forecast to soak the southeast coast on Friday and over the weekend, with South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania in the firing line. A severe weather warning has been issued for the central and eastern parts of Victoria as damaging winds develop, reaching speeds of up to 90km/h on Friday morning and increasing to a maximum of 100km/h on warning covers parts of Central, East Gippsland, North Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and South West forecast districts. First in the firing line will be South Australia, where heavy showers, thunderstorms and hail along the coast are forecast before those conditions head into Victoria. 'On Sunday, we do see cold air continuing to push through the region, the snow level will fall even further and we will see further showers right across the area, even pushing into eastern parts of NSW but mostly on and west of the divide,' he said. 'And for many people, Sunday will be the coldest day.' Mr How warned of 'blizzard conditions' in the alpine peaks on Saturday, with heavy snowfall. Canberra and Melbourne residents will be hit the hardest by the frosty temperatures, with tops of 10C and 12C on Sunday, respectively. Hobart will be slightly warmer on Sunday with a top of 14C and Adelaide will be slightly cooler at 13C. Showers are set to ease from the west on the King's Birthday, but a low pressure system sitting in the eastern region of Victoria will summon strong winds and showers to the coast. The long weekend also marks the beginning of the ski season, and those keen to carve up the mountain ranges will likely see approximately 1100mm to 1200mm of snow falling in NSW and How said the coldest conditions during the long weekend would be on Sunday, as a second cold front passes over the southern region of the country, bringing further snow, rain, strong winds and hail.'These weather systems will bring the most significant snow that we have seen across the southeast of the country so far this year, which is good news for the ski resorts, as the Australian ski season officially starts off this long weekend,' he said. The highest snowfall is expected over the next three-to-five days, with Mr How anticipating falls to occur across the alpine areas and the Grampians. As the icy front moved forwards, snow may fall at the Blue Mountains and Oberon by Sunday, with flurries expected in central northern NSW and the Barrington Monday, snow is likely to fall across the Northern Tablelands, possibly touching Guyra and Glen Innes. Ahead of the ski season, Mr How warned that the cold weather could bring dangerous travelling conditions. 'With that cold weather, there is the risk of also black ice across parts of NSW and Victoria, so we are reminding people to take care if you are heading up to the slopes this weekend for the snow,' he said. Residents in Brisbane can expect a sunny day with light winds and a top of 23C. Sydney will be far cooler on Friday, with partly cloudy skies and a top of 18C. It will be icy in Canberra, with frost in the morning and light winds, reaching a maximum of 13C. There is a high chance of showers for Melbourne on Friday, with cloudy skies and strong winds and a top of 14C. Hobart residents will see cloudy skies and a medium chance of afternoon and evening showers, with a top of 14C. Adelaide residents can expect a high chance of showers and cloudy skies, with a maximum temperature of 17C. It will be a mostly sunny day in Perth, with light winds and a top of 19C. Darwin will also be mostly sunny, with light winds and a top of 31C.
Perth Now
05-06-2025
- Climate
- Perth Now
Millions brace for ‘blizzard' conditions
More cold weather is on the way as the majority of the country bundles up for an icy long weekend of thunderstorms, widespread rain, hail and snow. As a cold front crawls across the country – and another one is on the way – millions are waking to icier than normal conditions. Queensland residents experienced a cool start to the day. It was 11C in Brisbane on Friday morning and even cooler in suburbs including Gatton and Ipswich. It was a similar story in Sydney, where residents woke up to a chilly 7C in the city and 1C in the western of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathan How said the cold front would stick around for the long weekend, stretching across Victoria, Tasmania, and southern NSW. 'It will be very windy as well,' he said. In addition to the wind and wintry temperatures, a band of rain is forecast to soak the southeast coast on Friday and over the weekend, with South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania in the firing line. Severe weather warnings have been issued for parts of Victoria's northeast as blistering winds smash the state. BOM Credit: Supplied A severe weather warning has been issued for the central and eastern parts of Victoria as damaging winds develop, reaching speeds of up to 90km/h on Friday morning and increasing to a maximum of 100km/h on warning covers parts of Central, East Gippsland, North Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and South West forecast districts. Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart are set for a soaking this long weekend. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia First in the firing line will be South Australia, where heavy showers, thunderstorms and hail along the coast are forecast before those conditions head into Victoria. 'On Sunday, we do see cold air continuing to push through the region, the snow level will fall even further and we will see further showers right across the area, even pushing into eastern parts of NSW but mostly on and west of the divide,' he said. 'And for many people, Sunday will be the coldest day.' Mr How warned of 'blizzard conditions' in the alpine peaks on Saturday, with heavy snowfall. Canberra and Melbourne residents will be hit the hardest by the frosty temperatures, with tops of 10C and 12C on Sunday, respectively. Hobart will be slightly warmer on Sunday with a top of 14C and Adelaide will be slightly cooler at 13C. Showers are set to ease from the west on the King's Birthday, but a low pressure system sitting in the eastern region of Victoria will summon strong winds and showers to the coast. A cold front is moving east across South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. Bureau of Meteorology Credit: Supplied The long weekend also marks the beginning of the ski season, and those keen to carve up the mountain ranges will likely see approximately 1100mm to 1200mm of snow falling in NSW and How said the coldest conditions during the long weekend would be on Sunday, as a second cold front passes over the southern region of the country, bringing further snow, rain, strong winds and hail.'These weather systems will bring the most significant snow that we have seen across the southeast of the country so far this year, which is good news for the ski resorts, as the Australian ski season officially starts off this long weekend,' he said. The highest snowfall is expected over the next three-to-five days, with Mr How anticipating falls to occur across the alpine areas and the Grampians. Snowfall is expected to begin across the alpine region this long weekend. Perisher Credit: NCA NewsWire As the icy front moved forwards, snow may fall at the Blue Mountains and Oberon by Sunday, with flurries expected in central northern NSW and the Barrington Monday, snow is likely to fall across the Northern Tablelands, possibly touching Guyra and Glen Innes. Ahead of the ski season, Mr How warned that the cold weather could bring dangerous travelling conditions. 'With that cold weather, there is the risk of also black ice across parts of NSW and Victoria, so we are reminding people to take care if you are heading up to the slopes this weekend for the snow,' he said. Melbourne and Hobart residents will brace for chilly temperatures this weekend. NewsWire / David Geraghty Credit: News Corp Australia Residents in Brisbane can expect a sunny day with light winds and a top of 23C. Sydney will be far cooler on Friday, with partly cloudy skies and a top of 18C. It will be icy in Canberra, with frost in the morning and light winds, reaching a maximum of 13C. There is a high chance of showers for Melbourne on Friday, with cloudy skies and strong winds and a top of 14C. Hobart residents will see cloudy skies and a medium chance of afternoon and evening showers, with a top of 14C. Adelaide residents can expect a high chance of showers and cloudy skies, with a maximum temperature of 17C. It will be a mostly sunny day in Perth, with light winds and a top of 19C. Darwin will also be mostly sunny, with light winds and a top of 31C.
