Widespread rain is likely to spread across much of the nation, especially the still drought affected parts of the southeast.

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The cold outbreak crosses the southeast and is felt as far north as Queensland, but conditions ease over the weekend and next week...
Rain is heading for the southeast, letting sodden northeast NSW and southeast Queensland take a break.
The hint of spring-like weather is being replaced by a surge of cold air from the south.
The cold outbreak crosses the southeast and is felt as far north as Queensland, but conditions ease over the weekend and next week is fairly quiet at this stage.
Rain is heading for the southeast, letting sodden northeast NSW and southeast Queensland take a break, writes Jane Bunn.
The hint of spring-like weather is being replaced by a surge of cold air from the south. writes Jane Bunn.
We have weather systems on both sides of the country, with feeds of tropical moisture ensuring big falls - but it is all dry in the southeast with a high., writes Jane Bunn.
We're due for significant rain across eastern NSW and southwest WA this weekend, as high pressure crosses the southeast letting conditions warm up. The Indian Ocean crossed the threshold into a Negative IOD earlier this week, while there have been some changes in the Pacific Ocean too that are worth keeping an eye on, writes Jane Bunn.
We are inching closer to a Negative Indian Ocean Dipole and seeing how this new phase is set to shake up Australia’s weather with a rain event for all states and territories. 
We are inching closer to a Negative Indian Ocean Dipole and seeing how this new phase is set to shake up Australia’s weather with a rain event for all states and territories. 
Pressure patterns are changing and the Indian Ocean is shifting into gear, with the potential for a widespread rain system in a few weeks.  
Year-to-date rainfall deficiency areas eased in severity in some areas of southern Australia but expanded in parts of western NSW, according to the Bureau of Meteorology's latest Drought Statement, issued on Monday. 

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