A number of Australian cities are set to experience “some of the coldest temperatures” of the year this weekend ahead of a very wet start to the week for New South Wales.
Sky News Australia meteorologist Marina Neuman said the winter-like cold snap will be focused on the southeastern areas of the country, beginning on Saturday.
In Victoria, millions of Melburnians will need to rug up as there is a high chance of showers throughout the day, with the mercury only reaching a high of 14C.
Temperatures will remain much the same over the coming days with a high of 15C on Sunday, followed by 16C on Monday and 17C on Tuesday and Wednesday.
It will also be a chilly Sunday for Adelaide, only expecting a maximum of 17C, while Sydney is set to reach 18C with showers, Canberra just 12C possible showers, and Hobart 13C.
“Unfortunately, those daytime temperatures are going to being dipping very low. Temperatures are going to be the coldest that we’ve seen so far this year,” Neuman said.
It will begin to warm up for most major cities between Monday and Tuesday.
Sydney will be back into the low 20s, Adelaide will reach 19C and Hobart 16C.
However, Neuman warned the rainfall will also return and “target” the Harbour City.
“We have a trough that is expected to just really hang out, linger along this coastline. Potential east coast low going to target the entire coastline, then as we head into the start of our week, Monday and Tuesday, shifting further north,” she said.
The weather system will then move out of Sydney towards Newcastle and Port Macquarie. It is also set to move inland as far as the NSW town of Tamworth.
“Now, we’re watching this closely because this looks to start on Sunday and could stick around well into next week,” the Sky News meteorologist added.
There is a potential for 100 millimetres of rain to fall from Bateman’s Bay through to Sydney and just south of Port Macquarie by the end of next week.
Meanwhile, Tamworth, Dubbo and Canberra can expect 50 millimetres.
Seven-day forecast
Brisbane
Showers will move out of Brisbane by Sunday for a clear Monday, but the wet weather will return from Tuesday.
Temperatures will hover around the low to mid 20s through the week.
Canberra
Canberrans will experience cold nights, with the mercury at near freezing, reaching between 1C and 3C throughout the week.
A damp week is expected but Monday and Tuesday is set to be dry.
Hobart
The only chance of rainfall for Hobart is on Saturday before a dry rest of the week.
Adelaide
Rain is expected both days of the weekend, as well as Wednesday.
Neuman described the wet weather as “much needed” for South Australia as it has experienced drought conditions in the Eyre, Yorke and Fleurieu peninsulas.
About 25 millimetres of rain is possible before drying out over the rest of the week.
Perth
Temperatures will remain above average.
Tops of 26C and 27C are expected for the weekend, while the mercury will remain steady and hover in the low to mid 20s for the rest of next week.
There could be a chance of rainfall on Friday.
Darwin
A typical outlook for the Northern Territory capital, with sunny conditions expected and temperatures to hit 32C for most of the week.
