Weekend weather in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth

A widespread band of rain is expected to settle across eastern Australia by Friday, bringing cool but fair weather across most of the country for the King’s Birthday long weekend.

The wet weather system, which has drenched southern Australia and has prompted gale warnings for parts of Victoria, will reach Sydney on Thursday afternoon before heading offshore on Thursday evening.

Weatherzone chief weather forecaster Brett Dutschke told Daily Mail Australia that another “winter-like” cold front will develop in Perth later in the weekend, but will weaken as it reaches the eastern states.

A widespread wave of rain has drenched South Africa and Victoria and is expected to reach eastern New South Wales on Thursday afternoon before moving offshore on Thursday evening

The wet weather sweeping across eastern Australia should clear up by Saturday, with mostly fair weather over the weekend

“Longer term, the Bureau of Meteorology has identified an increased likelihood of El Niño developing, which could result in drier and warmer days in winter and spring.”

Australia experienced the reverse La Niña weather pattern for three consecutive years, which was responsible for much of the rain that hit eastern Australia in 2021 and 2022.

“In addition to the warm and dry days, there may still be outbreaks of frost because the sky is clearing,” said Dutschke.

“The drying out of grasses and shrubs also increases the risk of fire in spring and next summer.”

For the long weekend ahead, Mr Dutschke said the weather should remain clear across much of the country between Saturday and Monday.

“Sydney should stay dry all weekend once the rain eases on Friday.”

“But there will be cool nights and mornings, especially in the West, where it will be almost freezing in the early hours; much cooler than in recent days.’

He said Canberra will also be cooler than all week but should remain good.

“There will be frost every morning as the temperature is below freezing, but with no wind it will be quite comfortable during the day.”

However, it will be cool, particularly in western Sydney, Canberra and Perth

There will be fine weather in Queensland, which along with WA is not celebrating the King’s birthday this weekend.

“Brisbane has a low chance of showers on Sunday and higher chances on Monday, but are likely to be short-lived.”

Victoria should also experience a dry weekend, in contrast to recent rains.

“Melbourne is a good chance for a dry and reasonably warm weekend.”

“I can’t remember many long weekends in June where that happened.”

Mr Dutschke said there will be more wind than further north, which could make it appear colder, but temperatures would be slightly warmer than the June average.

“Hobart is likely to have some showers on Saturday and feels wintry but will be drier on Sunday and Monday.”

“Sunday gets 17 degrees in Hobart, which is about four to five degrees above average, so they even have something for Melbourne this weekend.”

He said Adelaide will be mostly dry from Saturday to Monday compared to last week.

While Perth will be “probably the wettest capital”.

“There’s a good chance of showers on Saturday and Sunday, but the second half of the weekend should be dry and the sun shining brighter.”

“Hobart is actually warmer than Perth on Sunday, which is unusual.”

And further north, Darwin will be the “sunniest capital”.

“It will stay dry all weekend, which is normal for this time of year, and will actually be slightly warmer than average.”

Those planning to hit the parks over the long weekend should have no trouble as long as they dress warmly