Townsville weather: Tops of 30C to bring in weekend scorcher
A La Nina alert has been issued, raising the stakes for severe tropical cyclones to cross the coast of northern Australia this summer.
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A La Nina alert has been issued, raising the stakes for severe tropical cyclones to cross the coast of northern Australia this summer.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued the alert this week, saying the risk of a La Nina forming was around 70 per cent or roughly three times the average.
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It says the El Nino – Southern Oscillation indicators in the tropical Pacific Ocean are consistent with the early stages of La Nina development.
La Nina events increase rainfall across much of Australia and, typically, generate more cyclones in the Australian region, with twice as many making landfall than during El Nino years on average.
Meanwhile, Townsville is set to burn off the last of winter with a few scorching days towards the end of this week.
Temperatures close to 4C above average can be expected from tomorrow with the mercury tipped to hit 30C.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Rosa Hoff said the average maximum temperature in August for Townsville was 26.1C while the minimum average was 14.7C.
It comes as Monday was the equal coldest day of the month this year, with the mercury dropping to just 10.1C – matching that of August 11 when it warmed to 24.7C.
“It’s been quite warm in recent memory,” Ms Hoff said.
The latest weather observations in Townsville have shown the conditions to be warmer than average since the weekend.
Ms Hoff said this trend was expected to continue into the week.
“(It’ll be) really sunny, with barely a cloud in the sky and light winds,” she said.
It comes as a weak ridge extends across the state, leading to mostly sunny conditions.
Originally published as Townsville weather: Tops of 30C to bring in weekend scorcher