The latest from the Weather Bureau: south Brisbane set for a warm weekend in the mid-to-high 20s

Trend shows less rain in south Brisbane over the past 50 years. Resident of three decades Jane Milburn shares how she's adapting.

There are around two fewer heavy rain days during springtime in south Brisbane. Southeast Brisbane, 14 October 2020, Source: Monash University.

In the days ahead, southeast Brisbane is forecast for a warm weekend in the mid-to-high 20s starting off sunny on Saturday and cloudy on Sunday with a very high UV index.

There is a small chance of a springtime rain today - a phenomenon which is becoming less common around southeast Brisbane.

In the 1970s, southeastern suburbs saw about eight days of heavy spring rain - with ten millimeters or more in one day - but now only sees around five such rainy days.

A similar trend can be seen across Greater Brisbane - for instance, in the northern suburbs, there are three fewer heavy rain days now than in the 1970s.

Voices from your community

Local author Jane Milburn has lived in Brisbane's southern suburbs for three decades.

Ms Milburn has noticed that rainfall in her local area has dropped off.

"I believe we are having less rainfall overall and fewer extended periods of good soaking rain to benefit our local vegetation," she said.

"We now have two large rainwater tanks to provide supplementary water for the garden.

"(Also) I believe summer temperatures are becoming increasingly hot, and this has been reflected in data from the Bureau of Meteorology."

Fast fact

Though rain is decreasing over the long term, Brisbane can expect a wetter-than-usual spring and summer, as a La Nina event was announced at the end of September by the BOM.

During La Nina, the east coast of Australia typically receives above-average rainfall, which could mean more tropical cyclones and increased flooding in Queensland.

Our last significant La Nina was in 2010-11, the wettest two-year period on record, and is linked to the 2010-11 Queensland floods.

Brisbane City Council provides resources on how residents can prepare for potential extreme weather events.

Dr Christa Pudmenzky is a climate scientist at the University of Southern Queensland.

This column is part of a collaboration between Monash University and News Corp to deliver hyperlocal weather and climate information.

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