Australians in capital cities will enjoy warm and sunny conditions over the Easter long weekend – at least to start – before a cold front moves through the south-east, delivering rain and cooler weather.
Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart are all forecast to experience fine weather on Good Friday, with above average temperatures.
“The Easter long weekend should start off on pretty good footing,” said Angus Hines, a meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology.
“We’ll have some fairly warm weather with temperatures several degrees above average to begin the long weekend … staying several degrees above average through New South Wales for the majority of the long weekend.”
In Sydney, the warmest day is expected to be Easter Sunday, with a forecast high of 29C.
While NSW is tipped to enjoy consistent warmth and sunshine, Hines said southern states would face a shift in conditions. A cold front is expected to move through on Saturday, bringing cloud, cooler temperatures and showers to Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart.
Melbourne is forecast to reach the high 20s on Friday before falling to 19C by Sunday—a “big shift in temperature,” Hines said.
Adelaide is forecast to hit 30C on Friday, before rain and lower temperatures arrive later in the weekend. Hobart is expected to reach 25C on Friday, dropping to 18C by Sunday.
“We certainly could see some moderate rainfall totals across south-eastern Australia, particularly during Easter Sunday and Monday,” Hines added.
The wet weather is likely to reach Sydney and eastern New South Wales later in the weekend, with a “gradual weather shift” expected on Sunday or Monday.
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In contrast, Queenslanders can expect a typically sunny Easter, with Brisbane forecast to enjoy clear skies and warm conditions throughout the long weekend.
Western Australia will also see mostly sunny weather. Perth is expected to stay fine, though with some temperature fluctuations. In Canberra, Saturday is forecast to be the warmest day, reaching 26C.
A large weather system in the Tasman Sea is expected to generate significant surf conditions along the east coast from Thursday through to Sunday. This follows extreme surf conditions and record-breaking wave heights along the NSW south coast and southern Queensland, in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Hines flagged Good Friday as the day the waves will be most hazardous, though rough surf could also hit on Thursday and persist into Saturday.
“That’s going to give us a slightly dangerous combination of clear skies, sunshine, warm weather, a holiday – but also potential for some really hazardous surf conditions,” he said.
Australia’s land surface has warmed by 1.5C since 1910, increasing the likelihood and severity of extreme events such as heatwaves, storms and coastal erosion.
