Aussies are told to brace themselves for a cold long weekend – this is what the weather looks like in your city
- Wet weather system to hit Sydney Thursday afternoon
- Most of the country will see a dry and chilly long weekend
A widespread downpour sweeping through eastern Australia should clear by Friday, bringing cold but fair weather to most parts of the country for the King’s birthday long weekend.
The wet weather system that has drenched South Australia and prompted storm warnings for parts of Victoria will reach Sydney by Thursday afternoon before heading offshore on Thursday evening.
Weatherzone senior meteorologist Brett Dutschke told Daily Mail Australia that another ‘wintery’ cold front will form in Perth later in the weekend, but will weaken as it reaches the eastern states.
A widespread downpour has drenched SA and Victoria and is expected to reach eastern NSW Thursday afternoon before heading offshore Thursday evening.
The wet weather sweeping through eastern Australia should dissipate by Saturday and the weekend will be mostly fair weather
“In the longer term, the Bureau of Meteorology has stated that there is an increased likelihood of El Niño developing, which could lead to drier and warmer days in the winter and spring.”
Australia has seen three consecutive years of the reversed La Niña weather pattern responsible for much of the rain that hit eastern Australia in 2021 and 2022.
“There may still be frost outbreaks in addition to the warm and dry days because the skies will be clearer,” Dutschke said.
‘Drying out grasses and shrubs also entails an increased fire risk in the spring and the following summer.’
Ahead of the approaching long weekend, Mr Dutschke said the weather should remain clear in much of the country between Saturday and Monday.
“Sydney should stay dry all weekend when the rain clears on Friday.”
“But there will be cold nights and mornings, especially in the west, where early mornings are close to freezing; much cooler than the past few days.’
He said Canberra will also be cooler than it has been all week, but should remain well.
“It’s freezing every morning because it’s freezing, but out of the wind it’s quite pleasant during the day.”
However, it will be chilly, especially in western Sydney, Canberra and in Perth
In Queensland, which together with WA does not celebrate a king’s birthday this weekend, the weather is nice.
“There is a slight chance of showers in Brisbane on Sunday and higher on Monday, but they should be brief.”
Victoria should also experience a dry weekend in contrast to the recent rainfall.
“Melbourne is a good chance for a dry and somewhat warm weekend.”
“I can’t remember many long weekends in June when that happened.”
Mr Dutschke said there will be more wind than further north, which could make it appear colder, but temperatures will be slightly warmer than the June average.
“Hobart will probably get some showers on Saturday and feel wintry, but it will be drier on Sunday and Monday.”
“Sunday it will be 17 degrees in Hobart, which is about four or five degrees above average, so they even have something in Melbourne this weekend.”
He said Adelaide will be dry for most of Saturday through Monday compared to last week.
While Perth will be ‘probably the wettest capital’.
“Saturday and Sunday there is a chance of showers, but the second half of the weekend should be dry with more sun.”
“Hobart is actually warmer than Perth on Sunday, which is unusual.”
And further north, Darwin becomes the ‘sunnest capital’
“It will remain dry all weekend, which is normal for the time of year and even slightly warmer than average.”
Those looking to go to parks for a long weekend should be fine, provided they dress up