Latest news with #PatchClapp
ABC News
01-08-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Cooler weather brings 'best chance' yet for Queensland snow this year
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."
SBS Australia
06-06-2025
- Climate
- SBS Australia
Snow, polar winds, drought-easing rain: The wild weather in store for the long weekend
Australia's ski resorts are set to officially open this long weekend. Snow could fall for four days across southern Australia. Low temperatures and icy winds are also predicted. NSW and Victoria's ski slopes are forecast to receive a dump of snow, with poor conditions for snow sports, as they officially open this weekend, amid wet and icy weather hitting parts of southern and eastern Australia. Polar air from sub-Antarctic waters is expected to bring days of below-average temperatures for the country's south as many Australians mark the King's birthday long weekend. Snow is expected to fall for around four days in alpine regions and be widespread across central Victoria and NSW, potentially falling in the Blue Mountains, Orange, and Canberra as well. Patch Clapp, community information officer at the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), said snowfall would start from Friday. "Over the course of Friday to Tuesday, at least 20 to 30 centimetres of snow should accumulate at the alpine resorts for the first weekend of the snow season, with snow possible generally every day from Friday to Tuesday," he said. "Weather conditions over the weekend will not be great for snow sports. Successive cold fronts and a low-pressure system will lead to a wet and windy long weekend," Clapp said. While Friday will feel chillier after a warm autumn, the main cold front is expected to arrive on Saturday night and sweep across parts of South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and NSW, the BoM said. On Sunday, maximum temperatures are expected to remain in the single digits — Melbourne will reach a top of about 9 degrees, with high winds making the 'feels like' temperature even lower. After an exceptionally dry 12 months creating difficult drought conditions, south-west Victoria is forecast to receive between 25 and 50mm of rain between Saturday and Tuesday. Parts of southern South Australia can also expect rain after some of the driest conditions on record. Adelaide is expected to receive its heaviest rainfall since 2023, with up to 40mm potentially falling. The BoM has issued warnings for strong north-westerly winds ahead of the approaching cold front and could reissue warnings for areas of the coast and ranges when the storm moves up. Gusts could exceed 100km/h near the South Australia-Victoria border.
Sydney Morning Herald
04-06-2025
- Climate
- Sydney Morning Herald
Snow dump forecast for slopes as cold snap to hit Victoria
Victoria's ski slopes will officially open this weekend for the start of snow season, but the Bureau of Meteorology says the conditions won't necessarily be ideal for skiing. Snow will be possible over alpine areas on Wednesday, but bureau community information officer Patch Clapp said snowfall would really kick off from Friday. 'Over the course of Friday to Tuesday, at least 20 to 30 centimetres of snow should accumulate at the alpine resorts for the first weekend of the snow season, with snow possible generally every day from Friday to Tuesday,' he said. 'Weather conditions over the weekend will not be great for snow sports. Successive cold fronts and a low-pressure system will lead to a wet and windy long weekend.' Cold snap incoming Duty forecaster Dean Narramore said even though the temperatures and weather forecast were standard for June, it would likely feel colder for Victorians who had become used to unseasonal warmth in May. 'The main cold front is going to come through Saturday night and sweep across Victoria,' he said. 'Temperatures will drop to a few degrees below average, so it means day-time highs around 10, 11 or 12 []degrees] in the south – some places probably only the high single figures.'
The Age
04-06-2025
- Climate
- The Age
Snow dump forecast for slopes as cold snap to hit Victoria
Victoria's ski slopes will officially open this weekend for the start of snow season, but the Bureau of Meteorology says the conditions won't necessarily be ideal for skiing. Snow will be possible over alpine areas on Wednesday, but bureau community information officer Patch Clapp said snowfall would really kick off from Friday. 'Over the course of Friday to Tuesday, at least 20 to 30 centimetres of snow should accumulate at the alpine resorts for the first weekend of the snow season, with snow possible generally every day from Friday to Tuesday,' he said. 'Weather conditions over the weekend will not be great for snow sports. Successive cold fronts and a low-pressure system will lead to a wet and windy long weekend.' Cold snap incoming Duty forecaster Dean Narramore said even though the temperatures and weather forecast were standard for June, it would likely feel colder for Victorians who had become used to unseasonal warmth in May. 'The main cold front is going to come through Saturday night and sweep across Victoria,' he said. 'Temperatures will drop to a few degrees below average, so it means day-time highs around 10, 11 or 12 []degrees] in the south – some places probably only the high single figures.'
