Australia

Unseasonable and potentially record-breaking July heat will elevate fire danger ratings across parts of southeastern Australia this weekend.

An unusually hot and dry airmass for mid-winter will sweep over parts of South Australia, Victoria, NSW, the ACT and southern Queensland on Saturday and Sunday, ahead of an approaching front. 

Canberra is known for its cold weather, although this winter has been even colder - and drier - than usual. Australia's capital has joined much of southeastern Australia in an epidemic of frosty mornings in recent weeks.

Sydney is about to take a break from winter, with a run of warm and spring-like weather on the cards for NSW next week.

A high pressure system will become centred over eastern Australia this weekend, allowing warm northwesterly winds to flow into NSW on its western flank.

This low was intense. On Friday it had a central air pressure into the lower 960hPa range and covered an area over 3500kms wide, from east to west, north to south.

On Friday it was the second largest low on the planet.

The southeastern states are in for cold mornings this weekend following a trend of below average mornings this July.

A cold front leading to a cold morning over parts of southeastern Australia is set to deliver snowfalls over the alps.

However, the system appears to have weakened significantly, leading to less snow than originally anticipated. 

More winter showers are forecast for parts of southern Australia over the weekend, in addition to the already cold temperatures expected.

A low pressure system with its associated cold front and trough are moving over the southern parts of Australia this weekend, resulting in light showers stretching from Western Australia down towards Tasmania.

Heavy rain will develop in parts of central Australia this weekend, bringing a risk of flash and riverine flooding from Sunday.

An upper trough will combine with a feed of tropical moisture to generate heavy rain on Sunday and Monday. 

The impending rain is highly unusual for this time of year. 

Australia's alps have been transformed by the first decent snowfall of winter this week.

Snow has been falling in the alps since Monday, originally confined to the higher peaks and then lowering further down the mountains on Wednesday. 

The snowiest week so far this season has begun in the alps.

Cold air and moisture have teamed up to cause snow in the alps of NSW and Victoria during the last 24 hours. The flakes were still falling today and there is plenty more on the way during the rest of this week.