‘Volatile’ weather change to smash east

A fierce meeting of Antarctic winds and tropical heat will lead to “remarkable” weather conditions in the coming days, forecasters have warned.

Forecasters are warning of “volatile” weather over the next few days as two systems collide leading to “remarkable” conditions.

Just about everywhere temperatures are set to plummet. In Perth and Brisbane, the maximum is set to fall by around 10 degrees in just 24 hours, while many capital cities can expect highs of around 6 degrees below average.

Rain and thunderstorms are set to spread up the east coast while snow could also be in the mix. But bush fires are also a risk.

“Cold polar air fresh from the Antarctic is moving into Victoria on Wednesday with quite cold winter like weather,” said Sky News Weather meteorologist Alison Osborne.

“Then a bubble is moving up and over New South Wales and that brings in the next round of colder, wetter and stormy weather.”

On Wednesday, the cold pool of air from the south is evident against the warmer air on the east coast. Picture: Sky News Weather

That cold front from the south will slam into with warmer air across NSW and Queensland.

“The interaction between these contrasting air masses will create a mix of volatile weather, which will feature elevated fire danger ratings, heavy rain, damaging wind gusts and snow,” reported website Weatherzone.

Hobart will struggle to reach 12C on a showery Wednesday with the possibility of hail in the afternoon and evening with a low of 8C.

Expect snow on Kunanyi/Mount Wellington, above Hobart, which will bottom out at 0C on Wednesday and as low as -2C on Friday.

Thursday will be colder still in Hobart sinking to 6C but the maximum could be a touch higher at 14C.

On Thursday, much of the southern east coast will feel the cold air. Picture: Sky News Weather

‘Remarkable’ weather conditions

Sky’s Ms Osborne said snow could be a feature on higher ground across the east.

“It’s remarkable but not unheard of, at this time of year, for snow down at elevations of 600 meters through Tasmania and then across those lower levels 900 meters or so for Victoria and southern New South Wales.”

Bush walkers in Tasmania’s western and central areas have been advised to be aware of snow as low as 600 metres.

Showers are likely to develop in Melbourne on Wednesday with the possibility of hail. A low of 9C at dawn will rise to just 14C by midafternoon. Thursday will be similar, but it should head towards 20C on Friday.

Inland it’s looking chillier overnight with Bendigo and Albury Wodonga down to just 3C on Thursday.

Small hail could also affect Adelaide on Wednesday morning where a low of 10C will give way to a maximum of 15C. A shower is possible.

It should get warmer on Thursday with a high of 19C and 24C on a sunny Friday.

By Thursday, the rest of the east coast will begin to feel that chill in the air. But the winds ahead of it could fan some bushfires.

A fire weather warning is in place for Wednesday ahead of that change for the Hunter, northern slopes and north west areas of NSW.

On Wednesday, Sydney will see a warm day peaking at 25C. But on Thursday the temperature will drop to a low of 12C and a high of 19C.

That change could also bring some rain, a pattern set to be repeated on Thursday.

Rain will spread up the east coast. Picture: Sky News Weather

The further north you go along the coast, the heavier that rain is likely to get. Newcastle could see up to 15mm of precipitation on Thursday with a high of 18C. Port Macquarie is set to receive as much as 20mm on Thursday and 25mm on Friday. Coffs Harbour could see between 12mm and up to 60mm between Thursday and Friday and Byron Bay up to 45mm over the same days.

Inland in northern NSW there could be some rainfall in regions such as New England but the totals will be lower. On the NSW south coast, expect showers, with Ulladulla seeing a possible 12mm from Wednesday to Friday.

Canberra should remain dry with maximus falling from 20C to 17C between Wednesday and Friday and a low of 1C on Thursday.

Over the next seven days, the rain could be particularly pronounced between Newcastle and Brisbane. Picture: Weatherzone.

Temperatures to drop by 10C in 24 hours

Brisbane will see a big drop in temperatures. While Wednesday and Thursday will be a toasty spring 31C that will then fall to a high of just 21C on Friday before slowly cranking up towards the thirties again next week.

Midweek minimums of 20C will go down to 14C by Saturday morning.

The sun will also give way to showers with up to 6mm on Thursday and 10mm on Friday with possible storms.

Surfers Paradise will top out at 30C on Wednesday then down to 27C on Thursday and 21C on Friday. The rain will build up with a smattering of showers on Thursday and then up to 15mm on Friday.

The rain could reach up as far as Bundaberg but it should be drier further north. Townsville is looking at a week of 31-32C maximums and lows of 20C.

In Western Australia, Perth is also due for a big temperature change sinking from a baking 35C on Wednesday to just 24C on Thursday and then 23C on Friday. Overnight lows of 10C are due from the end of the week. The rain should hold off though.

Milder in Albany with a high of 23C on Wednesday and 17C on Friday. Broome will be a scorching 37C on Friday.

It will be a week of 35C highs and 25C lows in a dry Darwin.