At the weekend

THE weekend was fine and dry with clear blue skies.

After a few showers on Friday afternoon Saturday greeted us with clear skies and warmer temperatures throughout the day.

Light west-to-south-westerly winds blew throughout the day.

Saturday had a low of 10 degrees followed by a high of 23.

Sunday was also clear, fine and calm all day. It was cool in the early morning and some patchy cloud moved in during the afternoon.

Sunday saw a low of 5 degrees followed by a high of 24.

Forecast

THE Downs and Granite Belt are under the influence of a high pressure system sitting over south-east Queensland. This should move to the south-east towards New Zealand over the next few days. A weak ridge will persist along the coast while a surface trough moves through the region later in the week.

Today

TODAY should be fine and clear all day as the region sits under the influence a high over the south-east and a weak ridge develops across the Downs. Winds should be light from the east and no rain is expected. 6-24.

Tomorrow

TUESDAY should see the high move east but maintain the ridge along the coast and push moisture onto the coast from the east. An upper trough may develop and move across the region during the day. Some rain can be expected in south-western parts of the region but Warwick and surrounds should stay dry. It should be partly cloudy throughout the day. Winds should be light to moderate from the north, tending north-east at times. 8-22.

Wednesday

WEDNESDAY should see the ridge weaken as the high near New Zealand moves east. The Southern Downs and Granite Belt should stay fine with no rain expected. It should be partly cloudy but this should clear in the afternoon. A new surface trough may move into the south-west of the region during the late afternoon. Winds should be light from the north-west. 9-23.

Thursday

THURSDAY should be fine and clear for most of the day but there is a chance of some patchy cloud during the late afternoon. The ridge should be replaced during the day with a weak surface trough and this may generate some light showers for areas south of the border. Winds should be light from the east for most of the day. 9-24.

Friday

FRIDAY has the surface trough over our region and an upper trough moving from the west but little moisture is associated with these events. It should be partly cloudy for most of the day with light to moderate winds from the east. No rain is expected for Warwick and surrounds. 9-22.

The weekend

AT THIS stage both days of the weekend may see some showers as the upper trough moves through. Temperatures should be around the low 20s for both days.

 Terry West, Southern Downs Weather and Storm Chasing