A sudden plunge in temperatures is poised to grip Australia’s eastern coast, ushering in rain, thunderstorms, and a wintry chill in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and the southern region of Queensland.
Sky News weather expert, Alison Osborne, predicts a precipitous dip in temperatures from Wednesday onwards, a consequence of an Antarctic polar air surge. Victoria is expected to bear the brunt of this chilly onslaught with below-average readings of 15 degrees Celsius, creating an environment reminiscent of winter. This icy incursion is set to permeate New South Wales as well, with both regions bracing for a shivery spell.
Queensland’s temperatures, too, will take a downward turn by Thursday before a swift return of mild, sunny skies on Friday. Simultaneously, the southeast coast of Queensland is braced for showers and minuscule hails by Wednesday afternoon while the northern coast of New South Wales can expect a drizzle by Thursday.
In Osborne’s analysis, the scenario unfolds as “southeasterly winds feeding into a low-pressure trough in New South Wales on Thursday. The resultant moisture-laden air flowing over the region will consequently trigger showers and thunderstorms.” The wet weather intensifies by Thursday evening as the storms move inland, ushering rain and thunder into southeastern Queensland.
This forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology implies that Sydney’s temperature could peak to 25 degrees Celsius on Wednesday before descending to highs of 19 degrees Celsius and lows of 12 degrees Celsius come Thursday and Friday. Also, a 70 percent probability of rainfall looms over the city for both days.
In Melbourne, afternoon thunderstorms are highly probable, while temperatures could plummet to 9 degrees Celsius by Thursday. A streak of similarly frosty climate is also anticipated for Hobart. Post a rainy Wednesday, the mercury will struggle to soar beyond 14 degrees Celsius on Thursday and might even plunge to a nippy 6 degrees Celsius.
Despite this icy interlude, the Bureau advises of high to extreme danger ratings across the larger expanse of Australia, affecting areas in Western Australia, Northern Territory, North Queensland, and the mid-north coast of New South Wales.
Osborne presages Thursday’s forecasted rain as potentially serving as a much-needed dampener to the fires raging on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, especially Kempsey. However, she warns affected regions around the mid-north coast and ranges to prepare for “a period of steady precipitation – the good soaking rains that could affect the trajectory of a few active fires.”
