Cooler weather brings 'best chance' yet for Queensland snow this year

Australia Broadcast Center

2 days ago

A Winter wonderland could eventuate this weekend on Queensland's Granite Belt, where temperatures are set to plummet.
While snow flurries and a light dusting are not guaranteed near Stanthorpe, about 220 kilometres south-west of Brisbane, Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson Patch Clapp said it was "the best chance we've had this winter".
"For the snow to eventuate, the cold pool needs to be cold enough to lead to snow and also line up with moisture, so that if we do see precipitation, it has the chance to freeze," he said.
"While there is a high chance of showers for Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt more broadly [on Saturday], they are more likely in the morning, while the colder air is likely to be passing over during the afternoon."
Frosty starts are also expected through central parts of the state on Saturday morning, with Longreach forecast to hit a minimum of 3 degrees Celsius and a top of 19C.
Toowoomba is bracing for a top of 12C on Saturday.
Meantime, Brisbane will start the day with a low of 11C, with Sunday's minimum temperature forecast for 8C.
Light showers are likely over southern Queensland on Saturday, including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Small hail is also possible on Saturday during showers and thunderstorms inland in the south-east, according to the bureau.
Mr Patch said the rest of the state should not put their winter woollies away just yet either, as minimum temperatures were also forecast to be well below average in many locations across the weekend as skies cleared.
"Cold air will extend across much of the state over the next few days, with only the far-northern peninsula spared below average temperatures," he said.
"Maximum temperatures will be 5 to 10C below average on Saturday. Afternoon temperatures will return to average from Monday."
Possible morning frosts are also forecast south of Mount Isa to Charters Towers.
While there were no coastal warnings current on Friday afternoon, Mr Patch said hazardous marine conditions were likely on south-east coastal waters on Sunday.
The bureau issued a statement urging those crossing bars by boat or rock fishing to be wary of large and powerful surf conditions.
The Gold Coast is hosting more than 250 of the country's best surfers for the Kirra teams challenge this weekend.
The famous competition — hosted by the club that produced world champion Mick Fanning — is celebrating its 40th year.
The carnival is usually held in March but had to be rescheduled because of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Contest director Paul Sheehan said 32 boardrider's clubs would take part in the three-day event at Duranbah Beach, on the Queensland-New South Wales border.
"Hopefully we get nice five to six foot waves out here at D'bah."
While surfers were eagerly anticipating the first solid run of waves in months, Mr Sheehan said he was concerned about the damage the swell could cause south-east Queensland's beaches, many of which were still recovering from the cyclone.
"It could be a bit ugly," he said.
"We have had a weird ocean year this year — a lot of activity and a lot of big movements and there's more to come."