RAIN and strong winds passed through our region Friday with the winds persisting throughout the weekend before easing Sunday afternoon. It was partly overcast but no rain was recorded Saturday or Sunday. Temperatures were a bit cooler with a high of 20 degrees on Saturday after a low of 15 and a high of 23 degrees after a low of 12 Sunday.

Today

Today will see a ridge of high pressure push SE winds into our region and these winds will be moderate to gusty. It should be fine and clear for most of the day with only some patchy cloud in the afternoon. 11-27.

Tuesday

Tuesday should once again be fine with some patchy cloud and moderate to gusty southerly winds. It should be clear and warm up a bit by afternoon as the high begins to move eastward. 11-29.

Wednesday

Wednesday is the start of the next system that will affect us. An upper trough and associated surface trough will enter the state and bring showers and the chance of a storm to western Queensland. Our region will be fine and clear Wednesday with light to moderate winds tending to the NE by late afternoon. This will start to draw some moisture in for the next day's set-up. It will warm up a bit during the day as warmer air is drawn in from the north. 11-32.

Thursday

Thursday will see conditions change as the upper trough and associated surface trough starts to influence our weather. The day will start out partly cloudy and this will determine whether we get a storm or not. The cloud should break up by mid-morning and the winds should be moderate from the north tending to the west during the evening as the surface trough passes through. If daytime temperatures do warm up we can expect a storm. At this stage any storms do not look to be severe and should bring 5-10mm of rain across the region. It will clear overnight Thursday. 15-33.

Friday

Friday should see the surface trough to the east of our region and fine weather should affect us for the next few days. It may start out overcast Friday but this should break up and clear by mid-afternoon. Light to moderate SW winds can be expected to swing to the south by evening. It should cool down a bit. 11-26.

Weekend

At this stage both Saturday and Sunday look fine and sunny with light northerlies and temps around 28 degrees for both days.

Terry West, Southern Downs Weather & Storm Chasing