Wet and stormy weather forecast for Australia's east coast over Anzac day long weekend
Parts of Australia's east coast are in for a wet long weekend, with storms and rain forecast for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Sydneysiders can expect brief storms on Friday, but weather 'should remain fairly dry' for morning Anzac services, with partly cloudy skies and potential fog in the west of the city, Dean Narramore, a senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, said on Thursday.
Humid conditions and above-average warm temperatures between 17 and 25 degrees may cause rain and storms later in the day.
Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter
Rain is expected in Sydney on Saturday and Sunday, with a high of 25 degrees forecast on both days. The wet weather is predicted to linger into next week.
Showers and thunderstorms will develop over inland New South Wales from Anzac Day and extend east over the weekend. Widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms are forecast to persist along the northern coast into the weekend.
The New South Wales State Emergency Service issued a warning on Thursday urging travellers to remain vigilant. A spokesperson said the service had already responded to unsettled weather conditions this week after heavy rain and thunderstorms battered the state's coast and adjacent ranges.
This week's heavy downpour has moved north to the Queensland border, with showers expected to hit south-east Queensland and northern NSW coasts on Friday.
Brisbane has a high chance of showers and possible thunderstorms on Friday, with temperatures expected between 18 and 26 degrees.
The rain is forecast to continue on Saturday, with a high of 27 degrees. The wet weather should ease up to be partly cloudy, with a high of 29 on Sunday.
Melburnians can expect a damp Anzac day, with intermittent showers and potential storms from the early morning onwards.
Despite that, Melbourne is predicted to have temperatures between 17 and 23 degrees on Friday, about 5 degrees warmer than average for this time of year. Showers are expected for the rest of the weekend.
Sign up to Afternoon Update: Election 2025
Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key election campaign stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters
after newsletter promotion
Canberra is predicted to have fine and dry weather on Friday. The nation's capital is forecast to have a low of 8 degrees first thing, meaning people may be in store for chilly dawn services, although it should thaw out later in the day. There is an increased chance of showers over the weekend, with highs of 22 on Saturday and 20 on Sunday.
Adelaide should have similarly pleasant weather, with some clouds, a 30% chance of showers and above average temperatures on Friday. The rest of the weekend will remain partly cloudy, with a slight chance of showers.
'We've got a bit of everything around the country,' Narramore said.
Perth will have clear and sunny skies, but the Western Australian capital is in for its coldest day of the year so far on Friday, with a minimum of 9 degrees and top of 22.
Narramore said this would mean a 'pretty chilly dawn service', though it would be nice and dry, which should remain the case on Saturday and Sunday.
Up north, Darwin has a slight chance of showers in the afternoon and evening on Friday, but should remain dry for morning services, with temperatures ranging between 24 and 33 degrees. There is a chance of showers over the weekend, with highs of 32 on Saturday and 31 on Sunday.
Hobart is expected to have temperatures between 14 and 21 degrees on Friday. Tasmania could see a few showers 'here and there' but it will remain mostly dry for dawn services, with rainfall later in the day, according to the bureau. The weather will dip to cooler temperatures over the weekend, with a moderate chance of showers and a high of 18 degrees forecast for Saturday and Sunday.
He recommended Australians planning their long weekend visit bom.gov.au, the BoM weather app, or the bureau's social media for the most up-to-date information.
'Make sure you check the radar before you head out to see if you'll need a brolly,' said Narramore.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
a day ago
- 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'.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane weather: Aussie city shivers through its coldest day of 2025 as polar blast sends temperatures tumbling in Australia - so how cold will it get near you?
Sydney has recorded its coldest day of 2025 after a polar airmass, strong winds and showers send temperatures tumbling across Australia's southeast. Temperatures in the Harbour City had reached just 10C by 9am on Wednesday, with a 'feels like' temperature of a frigid 5.3C. Even colder weather was recorded across Greater Sydney, with Mount Boyce in the Blue Mountains dropping to 2.5C at 9:30am, which felt like –2.9C due to icy winds. Light snow was reported on parts of the Blue Mountains, with more expected across the alpine region this long weekend. Terrey Hills on Sydney's Northern Beaches reached just 8.7C at 9:30am, with temperatures feeling like 4.8C. Temperatures peaked at a maximum of 15C, two degrees below the June average. Sydneysiders are in for a slight reprieve on Thursday, with temperatures to hit 17C. But on Friday, temperatures will plunge once again to a chilly 6C. On the NSW coastline, a powerful low pressure system over the Tasman Sea is generating big swells along with powerful wind gusts and showers. A hazardous surf warning is in place for the Byron Bay Coast, Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast and Illawarra Coast, with gale or strong wind warnings for the entire NSW coastline. Further west, Perth recorded its wettest day of the year, and since July of 2024. Perth picked up 47.6mm of rain during the 48 hours ending at 9am AWST on Wednesday, with 33.2mm falling in the last 24 hours. This marked the city's wettest day in 11 months. Bickley, southwest of Perth's CBD, recorded 41mm in the 24 hours to 9am on Wednesday - the suburb's heaviest daily rainfall in nine months. The wet weather is set to ease on Thursday and Friday, however a cold front could impact the state's southwest from early next week. Sydney Friday: Partly cloudy. Min 6 Max 18 Saturday: Mostly sunny. Min 10 Max 19 Sunday. Partly cloudy. Min 9 Max 18 Monday. Partly cloudy. Min 7 Max 16 Melbourne Friday: Showers increasing. Min 8 Max 14 Saturday: Showers increasing. Min 9 Max 15 Sunday: Showers. Min 7 Max 13 Monday: Showers. Min 6 Max 14 Hobart Friday: Shower or two. Min 4 Max 14 Saturday: Shower or two. Min 7 Max 14 Sunday. Showers increasing. Min 5 Max 14 Monday. Showers. Min 9 Max 14 Adelaide Friday: Showers. Min 8 Max 17 Saturday: Showers. Min 9 Max 16 Sunday: Showers. Min 7 Max 13 Monday: Showers. Min 6 Max 15 Canberra Friday: Morning frost, cloudy. Min -2 Max 13 Saturday: Shower or two. Min 2 Max 12 Sunday: Showers. Min 2 Max 10 Monday: Showers. Min 0 Max 9 Darwin Friday: Mostly sunny. Min 21 Max 32 Saturday: Sunny. Min 20 Max 31 Sunday: Mostly sunny. Min 22 Max 31 Monday: Mostly sunny. Min 20. Max 31 Brisbane Friday: Sunny. Min 9 Max 23 Saturday: Partly cloudy. Min 12 Max 24 Sunday: Mostly sunny. Min 11 Max 23 Perth Friday: Partly cloudy. Min 8 Max 19 Saturday: Sunny. Min 7 Max 20 Sunday: Sunny. Min 7 Max 21
Time Out
3 days ago
- Time Out
Australia's ski seasons are melting away – and could disappear completely by 2050
Reporting live from Sydney, I can confirm that winter is well and truly here. The actual temperature currently reads a drizzly 12 degrees, but my weather app says it 'feels like' a frosty four – which justifies me busting out my puffer jacket for its seasonal debut. But while the chill is real, it's not all snowflakes and rainbows – especially for Australia's ski fields. The past two winters have been incredibly disappointing for snow enthusiasts, with warm temperatures delaying the start of the season and rainy weather forcing Australia's top ski resorts to shut early. In fact, 2023 and 2024 were the hottest Aussie winters in history – and with more above-average temperatures on the horizon, things aren't looking good for our ski fields. What to expect for Australia's 2025 snow season? The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has forecast unusually high daytime temperatures across southern and eastern Australia, right where our ski fields sit. David Karoly, Professor Emeritus at the University of Melbourne and Councillor at Climate Council of Australia, says, 'We can also expect warmer-than-average nights, which makes it hard for snow to form and settle. It also means fewer nights with good conditions for snow-making overnight.' While the BoM predicts rainfall will return to normal following droughts in southeastern Australia, above-average temperatures could see precipitation in the mountains fall as rain, not snow, melting the existing snow base faster or washing it away entirely. Professor Karoly warns that this trend will continue in the years to come, "We have had declines of maximum snow depth and decreasing season length at Australian ski resorts reported for over 30 years… The declines are greatest at lower elevation resorts and on lower elevation slopes, where the temperatures are higher and the melting is faster.' Can artificial snow save Australia's ski industry? Australia's ski fields have become increasingly reliant on machine-made snow, with all Aussie ski resorts except Mount Stirling currently using some level of snowmaking to improve the quality and length of the season. While it's a temporary fix, experts warn artificial snow is not a sustainable solution – for two main reasons. Firstly, the climatic conditions required to produce the snow are becoming less reliable due to climate change. Artificial snow only works when it's cold enough that the snow doesn't melt, when there's enough humidity in the air and when there's lots of water – something that's becoming increasingly scarce in the southern Alps. On top of that, there are significant water and electricity costs associated with snowmaking. For perspective, covering the equivalent of an AFL stadium would require 1 million litres of water, with billions invested in machine-made snow across the country. Are Australia's ski resorts at risk of closing for good? The sad reality is that Australia's ski resorts won't be economically viable if they depend on natural snowfall alone. Dr Lily O'Neill, Director of Protect Our Winters Australia, explains, 'Future generations of Australians will know skiing, but not to the same extent as we do today. The more we get on with cutting climate pollution, largely by continuing to move away from the burning of fossil fuels like coal and gas, the better chance future generations will have at experiencing skiing here at home.' What will Australia's snow seasons look like in 2050? According to Our Changing Snowscapes – an Australian-first report exploring climate change's impacts on the Australian Alps – there may be no reliable ski areas left in Australia by 2050. Ski seasons are forecast to shrink by between 44 and 55 days (42 to 52 per cent), and the amount of machine-made snow needed to sustain a 100-day ski season (the minimum days for a ski field to remain viable) is predicted to increase by 71 to 98 per cent in the 2050s. However, we're not giving up all hope just yet. Dr O'Neill adds, 'Enjoying ski seasons later into this century should still be possible if the Albanese government takes action to keep us in a low emissions scenario, particularly for higher-altitude resorts, like Hotham and Thredbo.' Those that are at lower altitudes are particularly vulnerable and already feeling the impacts of climate pollution, and planned adaptation needs to start happening now in these communities.' Dr O'Neill is also calling for more year-round investment to help ski resorts diversify beyond snow activities. Professor Karoly agrees, 'Tourism operators may be able to adapt by switching to promoting other activities in spring and summer, such as mountain walking, horse riding and trail biking.' You can see what's in store for Australia's snow seasons and what's needed to protect them by reading the full report here.
