BOM predicts higher chance of rain for Tassie in spring months
Tassie, get your brollys ready. Rain is forecast in the next few days kicking off a wetter-than-average spring season. The full forecast.
Tasmania
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Rain forecast for this weekend in Tasmania is giving the Apple Isle a taste of what’s to come in the Spring months, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting above-average rainfall for Australia’s east coast, including Tasmania.
Friday will be the last day of calmer conditions for the state before a low-pressure system crosses the state, bringing showers in the late afternoon and evening.
BOM meteorologist Urshla Connor stated these showers will soon develop into “decent rainfall” for the north and east of the state on Saturday.
“Friday will be the last of the effects of a ridge of high pressure crossing over Tasmania that has resulted in these milder days,” she said.
“It’s closely followed by a low-pressure system which will bring decent rainfall, mainly to the north and east of the state.
“We can expect around 20 to 30mm for those areas and closer to 30mm for elevated places, whereas the west will see a maximum of around 10mm and the south closer to 20mm.”
The rain won’t bring a drop in temperatures though, with Ms Connor stating the milder temperatures are here to stay and forecasting around maximums of 13 and 14 degrees statewide on Saturday.
Rain will lessen to showers on Sunday for the state and continue into early next week.
Final flood warnings were issued on Wednesday for the Mersey and North Esk River’s in the state’s north, but BOM has warned that small rises in river levels are possible over the weekend due to the forecast rainfall, but no further flooding is expected.
BOM updated a strong marine wind warning for Friday, predicting peak gusts of 20 to 30 knots for the Far North West Coast, Central North Coast and East of Flinders Island.
This weekend’s rainfall marks a climate change for Tasmania though, as climate models for spring indicate a higher chance of the state exceeding above average rainfall.
“This was a similar trend seen around this time last year,” Ms Connor said.
“The spring months should bring rain to most of Tasmania, but there is an increased chance of below average rainfall for parts of western Tasmania where prolonged dry conditions persist.
“These areas have also been recorded as below average for soil moisture.”
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