Breaking Weather News - NT thunder in time for footy finals

Brett Dutschke, 11 March 2010

After a recent dry and warm spell, storms are returning to the Top End and will play a part in this weekend's major footy grand finals.

On Northern Territory's biggest footy weekend of the year when grand finals are played in both Darwin and on Bathurst Island, heavy showers and storms are likely.

In the hours leading up to Saturday's NTFL Grand Final between the Tiwi Bombers and St Marys at Marrara there's about a 90% chance of showers, some of these may be heavy. During the evening's match there is about an 80% chance of showers and the humidity will be rising above 70% as the temperature slides below 30.

On Sunday afternoon the Tiwi Island Grand Final is being played on Bathurst Island, 80km off the coast of Darwin. Thunderstorms are a better chance than on Saturday due to a low pressure system moving to the west of the region. "Hector" may show up during the game adding to the spectacle.

These conditions are not rare in finals but will be a stark contrast to the corresponding games in 2009. Last year's NTFL game was played on a dry ground in 60% humidity. The Tiwi Island game was played in sunny 35-degree heat, the hottest March day on record.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2010

Breaking Weather News - An ap-PAUL-ling lack of cyclones

Sam Terry, 12 March 2010

Tropical cyclones seem to have been giving Australia a wide berth of late, with none appearing since late January. But before the season ends, Australia could see just one more sneak in.

On average 13 cyclones develop in Australian waters each year. Over the 2008-09 season seven cyclones formed. In contrast this season we've only had four: Laurence, Magda, Neville and Olga.

Over the last week or so the monsoon system that usually sits over northern Australia at this time of year (often helping to generate cyclones) has faded out.

However, a monsoon trough has been sitting to the northeast over Vanuata and the Solomon Islands, funnelling in tropical moisture over far northern QLD, leading to showers and thunderstorms.

Just lately, computer model forecasts have been indicating that a low will intensify in this region and perhaps head into the Coral Sea by Tuesday the 16th of March. This cyclone, if it ever happens, will be called Tropical Cyclone Paul.

Keep an eye on the synoptic charts on weatherzone.com.au to see how this develops.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2010

Breaking Weather News - Perth parched and begging for rain

Rosebud Lambert, 11 March 2010

Perth is languishing in a long dry spell, with only 0.2mm of rain recorded since the 19th of November last year. Relief is on the way however with significant rainfall forecast for the Perth region.

A cold front will approach over the coming days with a cool change predicted to deliver much wanted rain for the Perth region late on Saturday. Perth's agony has been compounded by several periods of high temperatures this year, including some 40-degree days.

Temperatures are again soaring above average ahead of the cool change with the maximum on Thursday reaching 35 degrees, 5 above average. Friday is expected to reach a maximum of 39 as hot northeasterly winds push into the region.

The cold front arriving on Saturday will break the warm spell with cool southwesterly winds and a return to more average temperatures.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2010