Busy wet season awaits for Queensland
Southeast Queenslanders should expect cooler days and above average rainfall this summer.
The bureau's latest long-range forecast has confirmed last weekend's severe weather is just the start of a busy wet season.
The storm clouds have cleared in Brisbane, but by the time summer arrives they will be back. This year conditions are primed for storms and rain - the extra clouds will also keep a lid on temperatures.
"Storm conditions have been supressed over the last couple of years," said Jeff Sabburg of The Weather Bureau
"You will get those cooler daytime temperatures and milder nights."
The bureau has released its long range forecast for summer.
The bureau’s latest long-range forecast has changed from predictions made earlier this year.
Those models showed no sign of below average temperatures for the south-east. The latest reading now suggests there's a 35 per cent chance of a cooler season.
Initial forecasts expected a dry few months ahead. Now there's a 70 per cent chance of above average rainfall for Brisbane.
But its rainfall figures have authorities on alert. The government is closely watching the bureau's advice.
"We're going to again review the latest bit of information and if there's a requirement to drop dam levels we will," Premier Campbell Newman said.
Forecasters have looked to the Indian Ocean to predict Brisbane's summer. Warming sea surface temperatures will have a direct impact on conditions.
Emergency Management Queensland cautions against waiting for warnings.
“The weekend was a wakeup call for us all. So if you haven't made your preparations already, now is the time to start," said Bruce Grady from EMQ.
Brisbane's next storm could be as soon as Thursday.
