Qld weather: Snow still possible in elevated areas in state’s south

Queensland is bracing for a blistering cold snap as meteorologists weigh in on the likelihood of snow in parts of the state’s south this weekend.

The low-pressure system will feed cold air and moisture into Queensland. Source: Weatherzone.

Queensland is bracing for a blistering cold snap as meteorologists predict snow could still fall in southern parts of the state over the weekend.

But conditions will have to align perfectly for snowchasers’ race to the Southern Downs and Granite Belt to pay off.

A low-pressure system will develop off northern New South Wales on Friday night, pushing cold air into Queensland that will see temperatures plunging across southern parts of the state.

Snow becomes a possibility when that cold air meets moisture pushing inland from an intense complex low pressure system.

Sky News meteorologist Alison Osborne said there was a slight chance of snowfall down to 1200m in southern Queensland on Saturday.

But she warned winter tourists not too expect too much.

“We are picking the potential for some snow showers, either late Saturday night or potentially during Sunday around the Southern Downs, especially the elevated terrain around Stanthorpe,” Ms Osborne said.

Sky News Weather meteorologist Alison Osborne.

“At this stage, the accumulation through the Southern Downs on the weekend is looking like less than 4mm, so that could translate to less than a centimetre of possible snow through elevated terrain there.

“You could see snowflakes coming down, but in terms of a nice blanket, not looking super likely.

“Basically, the wet and cold weather need to coincide at the same time.

“It can be cold enough for it to snow, but you still need to have the cloud cover, to actually generate the snowflakes. I would say it is possible, I wouldn’t say it is likely.”

Ms Osborne it would be a cold and cloudy lead-up to the weekend.

“There’s a rain band that’s just sitting over the coast, so that may bring some coastal rain and keep temperatures on the cooler side, particularly around like between Mackay and Bundaberg,” she said.

“We’re looking at temperatures, four to six degrees below average, potentially the coldest day of the year so far in Rockhampton and Gladstone.

“We’re also looking at some showers just through southern parts of the state, there’s the risk of a shower in Brisbane from late morning well into the evening.”

Temperatures could drop to 11C in Brisbane on Saturday, 8C on the Gold and Sunshine coasts, 3C at Stanthorpe, 4C at Warwick, 2C at Oakey and 1C at Roma.

It is expected to be even colder on Sunday, with the mercury plunging to 8C in Brisbane and 5C and 6C respectively on the Gold and Sunshine coasts.

Temperatures in Stanthorpe will range from 1C to 16C, while the minimum will be 1C in Oakey, 2C in Warwick and 4C in Roma.

Originally published as Qld weather: Snow still possible in elevated areas in state’s south