Far north Queensland may be granted some respite ahead of tropical Cyclone Maila’s arrival early next week, while the nation’s southeast have been blanketed in snow following a sudden cold burst.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said Maila is expected to hit Queensland’s north coast early to mid next week, however, it is likely to be below cyclone intensity when it makes landfall.
“Tropical cyclone Maila is now a category one system and likely to weaken further as it moves through the day,” Mr Narramore said.
“We are likely going to see it further weaken as we move through today and into tonight as it moves toward the southern parts of Papua New Guinea.
“It is likely to be below cyclone strength (as) it approaches the far northern Queensland coast early or mid next week as a trough or a weak low pressure system.
“The remnants of the tropical cyclone are likely to move into far north Queensland early to mid next week, leading to an increase in rain and thunderstorm activity.”
Mr Narramore said increasing wind shear and a drop in ocean surface temperature created an “unfavourable environment” for Maila, which was a category three intensity cyclone.
Severe weather warnings have been put in place across Tasmania, as wind gusts of more than 100km/h along with heavy rain and hail batter Australia’s southeast.
“The cold front has brought a burst of strong winds, heavy rain, showers, hail, thunder, and even widespread snow for some locations as well,” Mr Narramore said.
“We had winds gusting to 107km/h at Mount Wellington, 102km/h at Macquarie Island.
“We are likely to see these cold, wet and windy conditions continue across the weekend.”
The wintry burst has brought snowfall across central plateau and elevated regions of Tasmania, as well as to parts of the Victorian alps.
Hobart is set for a max of 8.7 degrees, which the Bureau of Meteorology is saying will feel more like minus one degrees.
