A polar air mass will ensure winter doesn’t say goodbye without one last hurrah. Even where it is sunny this weekend be warned — it won’t last.
As winter prepares to exit stage left, it’s got one more sting in its pocket left with a cold wind blowing across much of the country’s most populated areas this weekend.
Below average temperatures are in store for capitals across the south east and the mercury will sink into minus figures in many inland areas.
Wagga will go down to -1C, Forbes to -2C and Orange and Canberra could easily see -3C early on Saturday.
In Sydney, Brisbane and Perth things are warmer — in fact above average — but enjoy the sunshine while you can, because, in many parts of our country, next week looks distinctly blah.
“We are seeing a cold front hit south east Australia delivering a wintry chill and a very cold finish to winter,” Samantha Chiari, Sky News Weather forecaster said on Friday.
The front will cross Tasmania and Victoria on Saturday causing showers including some heavy downpours on the Apple Isle.
“A polar air mass behind the front will cause snow to fall to low levels across Tasmania and southern Victoria,” Ms Chiari said.
“For the last few days of winter it will remain frosty over the southeast and warm across the north with Darwin above average but Adelaide and Melbourne forecast to be near or slightly below average.”
The forecast comes as hail the size of tennis balls fell in parts of northern NSW on Thursday afternoon.
Melbourne and Adelaide have seen some solid rainfall this week. But it looks like Perth will take out the precipitation gong for winter in what has been a dry season elsewhere.
WA’s capital has had 146mm of rain so far, that’s its wettest August in four years.
THIS WEEKEND AROUND THE CAPITALS
Sydney
Look, it’s hardly deep summer but Saturday’s high of 19C is very respectable for a late winter weekend. It’s above average and the blue skies will make the city sparkle. On Sunday, temperatures will dip slightly and there may even be a few showers. It will remain mild going in to the week but cloudy skies will be the norm with showers increasing.
Melbourne
It’s looking distinctly meh for Melbourne. If the coming weather was a colour, in Victoria that colour would be beige.
Saturday will be absolutely average for August with a high of 15C and partly cloudy. But temperatures will drop to below average on Sunday with rain appearing. Cloudy days and showers will then be feature for next week.
Brisbane
Enjoy the sunny and rain free weekend, South East Queensland — it might not last. Saturday and Sunday will see the mercury creep up to 24C which is several degrees above average with the odd cloud streaking past the sun. Next week, however, there’s a fair chance of isolated showers every day.
Perth
Western Australians can look forward to a weekend of above average highs of up to 23C and sunny days and it’s much the same all next week. Crack open a beer on the beach for us.
Adelaide
Unlike in Perth, Adelaideans will actually have to put up with slightly below average temperatures this weekend. It should get to 15C but that’s a couple of degrees below the usual for August. Sun punctuated by cloud and possible showers next week.
Canberra
Saturday’s the best day. A cold morning of -3C will give way to a high of 16C and blue clear skies. Sunday will see clouds and a possible late shower. A cloudy week of below average temperatures beckons.
Hobart
There’s good news and bad news Tasmania. Good news first — it’s going to be warmer than usual on Saturday with highs of 15C being almost 2C above the August average for Hobart.
The bad news — there’s a pretty high chance of that mild weekend weather being punctuated by downpours. Even when the rain goes it’ll leave the clouds banishing the blue skies away. Temperatures also look set to fall with a high of just 12C on Sunday. A cloudy and rainy week is in store.
Darwin
Blue skies, glorious sunshine, but you better be prepared to sweat, with a humid 35C forecast this weekend and into next week in the Top End.
Online Source: www.news.com
