Grim forecast Australia doesn’t want to hear ahead of long weekend

Half of the country is looking forward to the October long weekend, but the weather forecast is looking grim for most.

The long weekend ahead is looking to be a damp one for four of Australia’s seven states and territories celebrating public holidays on Monday.

South Australia, NSW and ACT residents celebrating the Labour Day public holiday on Monday can brace for an overcast weekend as the wet weather system that brought dangerous storms to the eastern states eases up the coast.

North Queensland will have more than just the King’s Birthday to celebrate this weekend as rain is expected to ease. Residents south of Noosa won’t be quite as lucky as rain settles in over the weekend.

Here’s how the weather is looking in your state.

NSW

A high chance of showers is forecast for the start of the weekend.

Large and powerful surf is expected to create hazardous conditions for rock fishing, swimming and surfing.

The NRL grand final between defending premiers the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels will go ahead at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Sunday evening in mostly fine conditions.

“That wet Sydney weather should continue into the weekend and we may even see showers on the morning of the grand final, as south to southeasterly winds continue to drive moisture onto the coast and nearby areas,” Weatherzone meteorologist Anthony Sharwood said.

Showers are expected to linger over the southeast of the country for the start of the long weekend. Picture: Sky News

A few clouds are likely to stick around, with temperatures hovering around 13C or 14C.

“So pack your wet weather gear if you’re lucky enough to be going to the game,” Mr Sharwood said.

The weather is likely to stay clear into Monday for the public holiday in Sydney, with partly cloudy conditions and a maximum temperature of 20C.

Victoria

Melbourne residents will miss out on the extra day off, but the sun is forecast to shine all weekend.

A chance of showers will persist but mostly cloudy conditions are forecast for the rest of Friday and all the way to Tuesday.

The temperature won’t crack 20C until Monday.

Queensland

Showers are expected to linger for most of the weekend in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

The temperature will reach a warm 26C on Friday afternoon but will drop below 20C on Sunday.

North of Noosa up the sun looks likely to shine on Saturday, with rain returning by Sunday.

Western Australia

Perth residents have woken to smoke haze on Friday morning

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has reassured Perth residents that the haze is not from a bushfire but rather a prescribed burn.

A smoke alert has been issued for the area between Two Rocks, Rockingham and the Perth Hills for the burn-off, which is being carried out by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Sun is expected to return by the afternoon, with the mercury likely to climb to a balmy 29C.

The warm weather will stick around until midweek when a massive storm front stretching from the top of the country down to the Great Australian Bight will push east over the country.

A wet weather system is set to intensify early next week before it pushes east. Picture: Sky News

South Australia

Adelaide residents can expect sunshine for their Labour Day long weekend, as wet weather eases up the coast towards NSW.

Friday and Saturday morning will be coated with a thin haze of fog before the day warms up.

Sunday’s temperature will climb to a weekend high of 23C.

By Monday, clouds will return but the chance of showers is low.

Tasmania

Temperatures remain cool in the southernmost state and will stay below 18C all weekend.

There is a chance of frost on Saturday morning and light showers are possible.

ACT

Showers are expected to kick off the long weekend in the nation’s capital.

The temperature will stay low at a maximum of just 14C on Saturday.

However, by Sunday the rain is likely to ease and sunshine will lift the temperature to 19C on Monday.

Showers are forecast for Darwin on Saturday. Picture: Sky News

Northern Territory

Light showers are forecast in Darwin until Sunday when the wet weather system is likely to intensify, bringing thunderstorms and a downpour of rain.

As much as 15mm is likely to fall on Sunday.