Weather forecast: Heavy rain and icy winds keep things chilly across Australia as winter tightens its grip this weekend
Another cold weekend has hit NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Canberra, with isolated showers confirming the arrival of winter.
The Bureau of Meteorology says low pressure areas that have been along the Tasman Sea all week will continue to bring cool, southerly winds along Australia’s lower east coast on Saturday.
“It will be another cool and frosty weekend for many areas,” meteorologist Angus Hines warned.
‘These winds will bring some showers to eastern Victoria and the NSW coast on Saturday.
“On the other side of the country, we have a cold front in Perth early Saturday morning… a period of showers with the possibility of a thunderstorm, maybe a bit of hail and a few cool gusts.”
Another cold weekend has hit NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Canberra, with isolated showers confirming the arrival of winter
Rain is also expected on the Queensland coast on Saturday afternoon, from Brisbane all the way to Cairns.
The cold weather will see temperatures in the low single digits in places such as Dubbo and Moree in NSW, Adelaide, Canberra and Roma and Mount Isa in Queensland.
It will literally be freezing in Launceston, Tasmania, with temperatures reaching -1 degrees Celsius in the area on Saturday morning.
‘It is no surprise that it starts fresh again on Saturday morning. Freezing temperatures are expected on the East Coast,” Mr Hines said.
‘Don’t expect it to get warmer than 16 or 17 degrees if you live in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW, ACT and even South Australia.’
Freezing temperatures and frost are expected in eastern parts of Australia this weekend
N.S.W
Minor flood warnings have been issued for the Hastings River, Cooks River and St George Basin for Saturday and Sunday. The agency expects the Hastings River to reach the minor flood level of 4 feet at Settlement Point.
High wind warnings have also been issued for the coasts of Macquarie, Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans and Eden for Saturday.
In Sydney it will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and a high of 16C.
Victoria
A frost warning is in effect for parts of Victoria on Saturday morning, with places including Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country and North East expected to experience -1 degrees Celsius.
In Melbourne it will be cloudy with a small chance of showers and a maximum temperature of 14C.
The Bureau of Meteorology says low pressure areas that have been along the Tasman Sea all week will continue to bring cool, southerly winds along Australia’s lower east coast on Saturday. It depicts a woman dressed robustly for the cold weather
Tasmania
A traffic warning has been issued for motorists in Tasmania as icy conditions make it dangerous to drive on Saturday morning. Areas affected include the Central Plateau, Northwest Coast, Central North, Northeast and Western Districts.
Hobart will be cloudy with a moderate chance of showers and a high of 13C.
Queensland
Strong wind warnings have been issued for the southeastern Gulf of Carpentaria for Saturday.
Sunny weather continues in Brisbane, with the agency warning of the potential for smoke haze in the area.
A high of 20 degrees is forecast and showers are possible on Saturday.
The cold weather will see temperatures in the low single digits in places like Dubbo and Moree in NSW, Adelaide, Canberra and Roma and Mount Isa in Queensland
Western Australia
Showers are expected to occur across the south-west of Western Australia. Storm warnings are in effect for the coasts of Albany and Esperance on Saturday.
Perth will be partly cloudy with a high of 19C.
South Australia
Frost warnings are in force for parts of South Africa, where temperatures are expected to reach -1 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning in the Mid North Riverland, Murraylands, Upper Southeast and Lower Southeast districts.
In Adelaide it will be partly cloudy with a small chance of showers. A maximum temperature of 15 degrees is predicted.
Cloudy weather is forecast for Canberra, with average chances of rain and a high of 13 degrees. People are depicted wearing winter coats
ACT/Southern NSW
The agency has warned all sheep grazers of the coming cold temperatures, showers and south-westerly winds expected to hit on Saturday.
Areas affected include the Northern Tablelands, Southern Tablelands and the Snowy Mountains.
Cloudy weather is forecast for Canberra, with average chances of rain and a high of 13 degrees Celsius.
Northern Territory
A strong wind warning has been issued for Saturday off Beagle Bonaparte and Roper Groote.
The sun is shining in Darwin and will remain so for the next few days, with the maximum temperature expected to reach 32 degrees Celsius on Saturday.