Latest news with #Meteorologist

The Australian
a day ago
- Climate
- The Australian
Snow forecast: Rare winter blast to hit Southern Queensland peaks
Southern Queenslanders are being warned they could see snowfall this weekend as an early burst of the 'Ekka westerlies' brings wintry conditions to the Sunshine State's southeast. Forecast models indicate Saturday morning is shaping up as the most likely time snow could fall down to elevations of 1200m. Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe says the chance of snow will largely depend on the position of an approaching low pressure system. 'There is definitely the potential for snow in southern Queensland this weekend,' he said. 'It is going to be a little bit touch and go, but it definitely cannot be ruled out. 'There is going to be a low pressure system and exactly how it guides the rain across NSW and Queensland will govern whether there is going to be any snow in southern Queensland.' On Monday and Tuesday, a cold front weather system will move east affecting other states. Picture: SkyNews Mr Sharpe said the mountain peaks along the Queensland-NSW border would be the most likely locations for snow. 'We're talking about your usual suspects, the tallest mountains in southern Queensland,' he said. 'The tallest mountain in southern Queensland is Mount Superbus, at 1375m. 'Even in the wetter scenario, it's a decent chance to get the snow right up at the top. 'Snow could fall as low as about 1200m, there is some significant elevation there in the Southern Downs.' Mr Sharpe said the more southerly the low pressure system, the better the chance for snowfall. 'If the low pressure system that's bringing the rain to NSW is too far north, then it will bring rain to Queensland and the air won't be quite cold enough,' he said. 'There won't be enough cold dry air mixing into the system on the Queensland border. Weather models suggest there could be up to 14cm of snow on Queensland's Granite Belt this week. Picture: Windy 'But if the low is further south, and there's less rain to Queensland, there's actually going to be colder air in that system, and therefore better potential for snow.' Snow fell near Stanthorpe last year, with footage by Stanthorpe Holiday Park capturing a flurry along the New England Highway at Severnlea. Outside of Queensland Bureau of Meteorology Senior meteorologist Angus Hines predicted 'patchy falls' across much of South Australia and NSW on Tuesday, with a chance of rain in Victoria and Tasmania. 'Not as much rain as the recent wet weather event, but a nice follow up of 2-10mm over broad areas,' Mr Hines said. 'This weather system will have some colder air with it, and a good few centimetres of snow in the mountains. 'This will clear on Wednesday, although cold winds and patchy showers continue. 'This means further sporadic and light wet weather for most places south of a line from Perth across to Port Macquarie.' Read related topics: Climate Change


New York Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- New York Times
Severe Storms, and a Possible Derecho, Threaten the Northern U.S. Plains
Severe thunderstorms were expected Monday over parts of the Northern Plains as forecasters warned of hurricane-force winds associated with a likely derecho — a fast-moving, long-lasting line of violent storms capable of causing widespread damage. The most intense weather was forecast for central and eastern South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota, where the Storm Prediction Center issued a Level 4 out of 5 risk for severe weather through Tuesday. Damaging straight-line winds were expected to be the primary threat, with gusts potentially exceeding 75 miles per hour, strong enough to cause serious structural damage. 'It's not just a routine severe thunderstorm. It's much more intense than that and potentially more widespread,' said John Hart, a meteorologist at the Storm Prediction Center. He warned of potential damage to 'roofs, trees and significant structural problems.' Forecasters also said that tornadoes could develop in the region along with pingpong ball-sized hail on Monday in some areas. The severe weather is being driven by a surge of hot, humid air across the region, where heat advisories and extreme heat warnings are in place. The heat index — which takes into account both heat and humidity to measure what conditions actually feel like to the human body — is expected to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas on Monday, which could help trigger thunderstorms. Storms had already begun over parts of Montana early Monday and were expected to quickly organize into a powerful storm complex as they raced eastward across the Dakotas. 'By midafternoon we expect significant severe thunderstorms to have developed in the South Dakota region,' Mr. Hart said. 'Whatever forms will rapidly spread eastward across the state and into parts of Minnesota during the evening, producing the potential at least for widespread significant wind damage, some hail and a few tornadoes.' Forecasters said the potential for a derecho exists, but that classification would come only after the weather event, depending on the wind strength and the size of the area affected. Flash flooding was also a concern, with the Weather Prediction Center placing central and eastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota and northern Iowa under a Level 2 out of 4 risk for excessive rainfall. Although the storms were expected to move quickly, certain areas could still experience two inches of rain or more. The greatest risk of flash floods was in eastern South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota, where the ground was already saturated from heavy rain on Sunday night. As the storms move east Monday night into Iowa and Wisconsin, the threat of wind damage will continue, although forecasters expect the system to begin weakening as the night progresses. 'The storms will weaken after midnight,' Mr. Hart said. 'Then as we go into Tuesday, the threat appears to diminish.' Tracking Dangerous Heat in the U.S. See detailed maps of the latest heat index forecasts in the United States.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Snow predicted in surprising state
Southern Queenslanders are being warned they could see snowfall this weekend as an early burst of the 'Ekka westerlies' brings wintry conditions to the Sunshine State's southeast. Forecast models indicate Saturday morning is shaping up as the most likely time snow could fall down to elevations of 1200m. Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe says the chance of snow will largely depend on the position of an approaching low pressure system. 'There is definitely the potential for snow in southern Queensland this weekend,' he said. 'It is going to be a little bit touch and go, but it definitely cannot be ruled out. 'There is going to be a low pressure system and exactly how it guides the rain across NSW and Queensland will govern whether there is going to be any snow in southern Queensland.' Mr Sharpe said the mountain peaks along the Queensland-NSW border would be the most likely locations for snow. 'We're talking about your usual suspects, the tallest mountains in southern Queensland,' he said. 'The tallest mountain in southern Queensland is Mount Superbus, at 1375m. 'Even in the wetter scenario, it's a decent chance to get the snow right up at the top. 'Snow could fall as low as about 1200m, there is some significant elevation there in the Southern Downs.' Mr Sharpe said the more southerly the low pressure system, the better the chance for snowfall. 'If the low pressure system that's bringing the rain to NSW is too far north, then it will bring rain to Queensland and the air won't be quite cold enough,' he said. 'There won't be enough cold dry air mixing into the system on the Queensland border. 'But if the low is further south, and there's less rain to Queensland, there's actually going to be colder air in that system, and therefore better potential for snow.' Snow fell near Stanthorpe last year, with footage by Stanthorpe Holiday Park capturing a flurry along the New England Highway at Severnlea. Outside of Queensland Bureau of Meteorology Senior meteorologist Angus Hines predicted 'patchy falls' across much of South Australia and NSW on Tuesday, with a chance of rain in Victoria and Tasmania. 'Not as much rain as the recent wet weather event, but a nice follow up of 2-10mm over broad areas,' Mr Hines said. 'This weather system will have some colder air with it, and a good few centimetres of snow in the mountains. 'This will clear on Wednesday, although cold winds and patchy showers continue. 'This means further sporadic and light wet weather for most places south of a line from Perth across to Port Macquarie.'

News.com.au
2 days ago
- Climate
- News.com.au
Southwestern Queenslanders warned of potential snow this weekend
Southern Queenslanders are being warned they could see snowfall this weekend as an early burst of the 'Ekka westerlies' brings wintry conditions to the Sunshine State's southeast. Forecast models indicate Saturday morning is shaping up as the most likely time snow could fall down to elevations of 1200m. Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe says the chance of snow will largely depend on the position of an approaching low pressure system. 'There is definitely the potential for snow in southern Queensland this weekend,' he said. 'It is going to be a little bit touch and go, but it definitely cannot be ruled out. 'There is going to be a low pressure system and exactly how it guides the rain across NSW and Queensland will govern whether there is going to be any snow in southern Queensland.' Mr Sharpe said the mountain peaks along the Queensland-NSW border would be the most likely locations for snow. 'We're talking about your usual suspects, the tallest mountains in southern Queensland,' he said. 'The tallest mountain in southern Queensland is Mount Superbus, at 1375m. 'Even in the wetter scenario, it's a decent chance to get the snow right up at the top. 'Snow could fall as low as about 1200m, there is some significant elevation there in the Southern Downs.' Mr Sharpe said the more southerly the low pressure system, the better the chance for snowfall. 'If the low pressure system that's bringing the rain to NSW is too far north, then it will bring rain to Queensland and the air won't be quite cold enough,' he said. 'There won't be enough cold dry air mixing into the system on the Queensland border. 'But if the low is further south, and there's less rain to Queensland, there's actually going to be colder air in that system, and therefore better potential for snow.' Snow fell near Stanthorpe last year, with footage by Stanthorpe Holiday Park capturing a flurry along the New England Highway at Severnlea. Outside of Queensland Bureau of Meteorology Senior meteorologist Angus Hines predicted 'patchy falls' across much of South Australia and NSW on Tuesday, with a chance of rain in Victoria and Tasmania. 'Not as much rain as the recent wet weather event, but a nice follow up of 2-10mm over broad areas,' Mr Hines said. 'This weather system will have some colder air with it, and a good few centimetres of snow in the mountains. 'This will clear on Wednesday, although cold winds and patchy showers continue. 'This means further sporadic and light wet weather for most places south of a line from Perth across to Port Macquarie.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Severe storms target Manitoba and northern Ontario today
A series of storms roll through southern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario today with the potential for tornadic activity. Meteorologist Laura Power has all your forecast details.