A persistent weather pattern begins on Sunday and lasts through much of next week, continuously pushing rain into the northern Queensland coast. Widespread falls over 200mm are likely.
A low off the NSW coast is close enough to shore to bring heavy rain and strong winds to those just to its southwest on Friday, gradually easing as it drifts out to sea on the weekend. Meanwhile, our first cyclone close to Australia may develop off the Pilbara coast
Much of southeastern Australia is taking a break from heavy rain, but that comes with a surge of heat. Gusty winds increase the fire danger early next week - and the week of Christmas may also bring extreme conditions.
To make it rain you need moisture and instability, and we have an impressive moisture source that should continue for the rest of the year. The instability is changing though, moving to a new area, set to give the southeast a break from the rain next week.
Over the course of the next week we have the potential for widespread soaking rain over much of southeastern Australia, fuelled by rain crossing the north and interior.
There is the potential for big rainfalls in both the west and east over the next week, which will be quite a change from what southwest WA has been experiencing lately. In the longer term, it is these areas that are most likely to see above average rain across the summer period too.
Showers and storms could bring significant rain to southeast Queensland and northeast NSW over the coming week, while the heat continues but there is relief on the horizon.
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