Source : Perth Now news
Several states across Australia could be in for a drenching this weekend as a cloud band brings rain to a large part of the nation, according to Weatherzone.
The weather site said tropical moisture extending thousands of kilometres from the Indian Ocean towards southeastern Australia and a slow moving upper level trough through Central Australia would bring rain into early next week.
“This system will then be followed by another upper-level trough next week, which forecast models suggest could produce a northwest cloud band and widespread rain,” meteorologist Ashleigh Madden said.
“These rain-bearing systems will be fuelled by abnormally warm seas surrounding Australia, which will provide extra moisture in the atmosphere to generate rain.”
Ms Madden said there was uncertainty around how much rain could fall but forecasts predicted 20 to 40mm were likely over central and southeastern Australia across the next week.
It is not all bad news for skiers keen to hit the slopes in the last weeks of winter, while the season has been below average standards, depths of snow have reached 1m at the alpine region’s highest elevation points, Weatherzone reported.
Meteorologist Anthony Sharwood said while 7cm of snow fell in the last week, heavy rain eroded the snowpack, but it was topped up at higher elevation points.
Mr Sharwood said there have been two moderate snowfall events in August.
“While the majority of lifts are now open at the higher Australian ski areas – with all lifts spinning at the NSW resorts of Thredbo and Charlotte Pass – the snowpack is still moderate for this time of year,” he said.
“The not-so-positive news for snow enthusiasts and for businesses that depend on the snow trade is that a warm spell is coming, with no significant snowfalls on the horizon until the end of next week at the earliest.
“If you’re lucky enough to be heading to the snowfields this weekend, expect mild days by August standards and mostly clear conditions with moderate breezes that shouldn’t be strong enough to stop lifts from running.”
