Canberra and other elevated places could experience their first serious frost of 2023 towards the end of the Easter long weekend. Photo: File.
It doesn’t matter if you’re searching for chocolate in the bush capital or hopping along the South Coast, cooler days and chilly nights are on the forecast this Easter long weekend.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Sarah Scully said that, while forecasts could change, early predictions show “wintry conditions” are expected for much of Australia over the coming days.
“Maximum temperatures are likely to be well below average for the Easter long weekend, with snowfall possible in alpine areas on Saturday night and Sunday,” she said.
Things could get a bit wet for southern and eastern NSW as well, with showers and severe thunderstorms possible on Good Friday.
“[There’s] the potential for severe storms along the east coast and adjacent mountain ranges, bringing damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain,” Ms Scully said.
Showers are expected in the south of NSW on Saturday before moving to the ranges on Sunday.
Easter Monday is when things should dry off as the cold front and associated trough pass and we’re back into the working week.
But the clearer nights mean there could be heavy frosts in the mountains, with Canberra and other elevated areas tipped to see their first white lawns of 2023.
If you’re heading into the water, keep in mind hazardous surf conditions are forecast to develop on the South Coast on Sunday.
If you are travelling this Easter long weekend, motorists are being reminded police operations will also be hopping into action for a five-day traffic operation.
Double demerits will be in place for NSW and the ACT from 12:01 am on Thursday (6 April) until 11:59 pm on Monday (10 April).
NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said officers would be doing their best to keep the roads safe so everyone can spend Easter with their loved ones.
“The message is simple: drive to the speed limit, focus on the road, not your phone, and make sure you have a plan B if you are drinking,” he said.
“For the last two years, we’ve seen seven fatalities on the road each Easter long weekend [in NSW]. The goal this year is to reduce that number.”
Keep in mind school zones will be active until the end of Thursday (6 April) with kids still heading to class.
Here’s your Easter long weekend weather forecast:
Australian Capital Territory
Friday 7 April: Cloudy with a very high chance of showers and a potential thunderstorm, possibly severe. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 11 degrees, with daytime temperatures reaching between 12 and 18 degrees.
Saturday 8 April: Partly cloudy with a high chance of showers, with westerly winds 25 to 35 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 10 degrees, with daytime temperatures reaching between 12 and 18 degrees.
Sunday 9 April: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of a shower. Snow is possible above 1700 m and it will remain windy. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 6 degrees, with daytime temperatures reaching between 8 and 14 degrees.
Australian Alps – Snowy Mountains
Friday 7 April: Cloudy with a very high chance of showers in the west and a potential thunderstorm, possibly severe. Winds increasing throughout the day.
Saturday 8 April: Partly cloudy with a very high chance of showers in the west and a high chance elsewhere. Westerly winds 25 to 35 km/h, with snow falling above 1800 m.
Sunday 9 April: Cloudy with a high chance of showers near the Victorian border and medium chance elsewhere. Snow falling above 1400 m, with winds westerly 25 to 35 km/h turning southwesterly 25 to 40 km/h during the morning.
Southern Tablelands
Friday 7 April: Cloudy with a very high chance of showers in the west and a potential thunderstorm, possibly severe. Becoming windy, with overnight temperatures falling to around 10 degrees, with daytime temperatures reaching between 16 and 20 degrees.
Saturday 8 April: Partly cloudy with a high chance of showers in the northwest, medium chance elsewhere. Windy with westerly winds of 30 to 45 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 10 degrees, with daytime temperatures reaching between 15 and 19 degrees.
Sunday 9 April: Partly cloudy with the slight chance of a shower, remaining windy. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 7 degrees, with daytime temperatures reaching between 11 and 15 degrees.
South Coast
Friday 7 April: Partly cloudy with a very high chance of showers and a potential thunderstorm, possibly severe. Overnight temperatures falling to between 11 and 15 degrees, with daytime temperatures reaching between 19 and 23 degrees.
Saturday 8 April: Partly cloudy with a medium chance of showers near the Victorian border and a slight chance elsewhere. Westerly winds 25 to 35 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 10 and 14 degrees, with daytime temperatures reaching between 18 and 25 degrees.
Sunday 9 April: Partly cloudy, with a high chance of showers near the Victorian border and a slight chance elsewhere. Winds westerly 20 to 30 km/h tending southwesterly 25 to 40 km/h during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 6 and 11 degree, with daytime temperatures reaching between 12 and 19 degrees.
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