Weather News

Extreme windiness over the weekend

Sam Terry, Friday July 22, 2016 - 13:39 AEST

When thinking of winter, our minds are naturally drawn to cold temperatures, but during this weekend southeastern Australia is being reminded that winter is often the windiest time to the year.

A series of cold fronts are set to blast their way across NSW and VIC from Friday 22nd to Tuesday 26th. Not only will this drop temperatures across the board, but winds will likely be persistently strong. The Bureau of Meteorology has already issued a Severe Weather Warning in both VIC and NSW for damaging winds.

Right now, winds are increasing dramatically ahead of a front. In NSW, Thredbo has copped a wind gust of 119 km/h and sustained winds greater than 65 km/h, comparable in intensity to that of a category 1 tropical cyclone! Cabramurra has also picked up an 89 km/h, just shy of the 90 km/h required to be classified as â??severeâ??. In the VIC alps, Mt Buller received a gust of 128 km/h, the highest recorded in three years.

As today progresses the areas of extreme winds will increase and spread. In NSW, the elevated areas of the Northern Tablelands, Central Tablelands and the Hunter are a good chance to receive severe wind gusts, as well as exposed parts of the coast south of Newcastle, including Sydney. Blizzards will develop overnight in the Snowy Mountains above 1700 metres.

The peak in the wind will come tomorrow as a burst of colder westerly winds pushes through. Coastal areas will likely feel this peak from early morning to early afternoon in VIC, and from late morning in NSW. Anyone planning outdoor activities for tomorrow, such as birthday parties and picnics, would do well to move these indoors.

For the latest warnings visit weatherzone.com.au or download the app.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2016

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A very wet weekend for southeast Qld, northeast NSW

11:48 AEST A prolonged rainfall event is set to bring large totals to parts of NSW and Qld from Saturday, with possible heavy falls and flooding. A low-pressure system in the Coral Sea, a deepening coastal trough and persistent easterlies will bring moisture-laden air into southeast Qld and northeast NSW will bring days of rainfall to the region. While there is not a drop of rain on the radar over southeast Qld and Northeast NSW on Friday morning, the mass of cloud associated with a low in the Coral Sea will enhance rainfall over the weekend.