Rain on the cards next week, but only slight chance today

A SOAKING across the nation next week will mark the end of a wet winter and could be one of the standout events of the season.

Rain is on the cards from next week. . Picture: Brenda Strong

A SOAKING across the nation next week will mark the end of a wet winter and could be one of the standout events of the season.

An  impressive rain-bearing system, which is taking shape about 3000km south of Africa, is due to bring rain to every state and territory Weatherzone forecaster Ben Domensino said.   

Western Australia will be first in line on Sunday and Monday and South Australia and inland parts of the Northern Territory on Tuesday until the middle of next week when the eastern states take their turn. 

"By this stage cold upper-level air from Antarctica will surge over Australia helping warm, moisture-laden air rise from the surface to produce cloud, rain and thunderstorms," Mr Domensino said. 

The event comes on the back of a wet seasonal outlook for the region. 

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Chris Joseph said the outlook from August to October shows a 70% chance of exceeding the average rainfall in the Gympie region, signalling  a possible wet start to spring.

Meanwhile, despite a cloudy few days around this week, there is likely to be only a little rain around Gympie until Friday. 

The chance of rain is highest this afternoon, but still only 30%,  as a trough system pushes in from the coast, Mr  Joseph said. 

The temperatures will be fairly mild for the remainder of the week and into the weekend and keep in line with the average for this time of year, the forecaster said. 

Wednesday morning started at 10 degrees and Thursday and Friday will be much the same with tops of 22, 23 and 24 over the next three days respectively. 

The weekend may be slightly warmer, he said. 

Gympie's five-day forecast, courtesy of the Bureau of Meteorology. Picture: Contributed