Welcome drier conditions for NQ in lead up to Easter weekend, according to BOM

After a couple of wet months, drier conditions are expected for the Townsville region going into easter, but keep your umbrella handy. Read the latest forecast.

Cooper Pyers, 4, enjoys a ride along the Strand in the cooler weather. Picture: Evan Morgan

After being drenched with record rainfall totals in recent months, North Queensland’s sodden catchments and residents have the opportunity to dry out, with just a few showers and cloudy days expected over the coming week.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy said the Townsville region had been buffeted by strong south-easterly winds in recent days, courtesy of the large high south of Tasmania extending a ridge over most of Queensland.

Due to Townsville being geographically less exposed, it had avoided much of the blustery showers, with generally dry, sunny days expected on Thursday and Friday.

“The blustery south easterlies around the Townsville area (will) stick around for the next few days, but probably ease back a little through the second half of the week as well,” Mr Hanniffy said.

Chance of rain in North Queensland on Thursday. Picture: BOM.

“So Townsville will probably get away with dry days to come. There may be some light, passing showers over the next day or two, a millimetre or two at best, in the gauges.

“Most the focus will be probably a little bit north of Townsville, particularly up around the Ingham coast, where you just where it sticks out more and catches those passing showers as they come in.

Four day rainfall forecast for Queensland. Picture: BOM.

He said the wind had created slightly below average temperatures but it was expected to warm up slightly over the coming days as the wind died down.

“Temperatures will probably be more around the average, maybe some inland areas (will be) one or two degrees above average,” he said.

Over the Easter long weekend, Mr Hanniffy expected the Townsville region to experience cloudy conditions and no significant shower activity.

Originally published as Welcome drier conditions for NQ in lead up to Easter weekend, according to BOM