Weather Alert: Rain, Storms Hit North, South Stays Dry

We've got a bit of weather going on around the country on Friday. Firstly, we can see widespread rain and storms across northern and central Australia. We'll also be keeping a close eye on a tropical low near the Kimberley coast, which will be moving off the Pilbara coast later on Friday into Saturday.

Further south, high pressure is dominating the weather right across southern parts of the country, with maybe a weak front just bringing some showers to coastal parts of Tasmania. Conditions will be pretty mild and dry for much of the east coast, while over on the west coast the trough is bringing hot and sunny conditions.

In Queensland, we're going to see widespread shower and thunderstorm activity right across northern and western parts of the state. There could be some heavy rain and storms in far southwest Queensland later on Friday into Friday night, with severe thunderstorms possible. Meanwhile, the southern inland will be hot and sunny, with temperatures in the high 30s. In southeastern Queensland, conditions will be fine and partly cloudy, with Brisbane reaching 31 degrees.

Dropping down into New South Wales, it's a pretty quiet day weather-wise. Coastal areas will see plenty of sunshine and partly cloudy conditions. During the afternoon and evening, a few showers and thunderstorms may pop up across northern and inland parts of the state, particularly in the northwest, while coastal areas remain mostly dry. Temperatures will sit in the high 20s to low 30s near the coast, rising to the high 30s inland and in the far west. Sydney is looking at 31 degrees with partly cloudy skies, while Canberra will be hot and sunny with a top of 37.

Moving into Victoria, conditions will be warm, dry and sunny for much of the state. There's a clear temperature divide, with lows to mid-20s through southern areas and mid to high 30s north of the ranges, approaching 39 in the far northwest. Sunshine is expected statewide, with a few clouds over East Gippsland and coastal areas. Melbourne is looking at a sunny 25 degrees.

In Tasmania, it will be a little cooler but still mild, particularly through eastern and northern areas where temperatures will be in the low to mid-20s. A weak front will bring a few showers to western and southwestern parts of the state during the afternoon and evening, with cloudier conditions there. Hobart is expecting a cloudy day with a top of 22.

Over in South Australia, it's a similar story to Victoria, with cooler conditions in the south and much hotter weather in the north. A trough line across northern parts of the state will bring moderate to heavy falls and the risk of severe storms, more likely later on Friday and into Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, southern parts of the state will miss out on the rain, with another dry, warm and sunny day expected. Temperatures will reach the high 20s to low 30s in the south and mid to high 30s in the north. Adelaide is forecast to reach a sunny 33 degrees.

In Western Australia, heat is really building through inland areas, the southwest land division and along the coast. Rain and storms are picking up across the Kimberley and northern and inland parts of the state, associated with the tropical low and increasing moisture from the north and west. The Pilbara will be hot and stormy, west coastal areas hot, dry and sunny, and cooler conditions are expected along the south coast. Perth is heading for 35 degrees with lots of sunshine.

Up in the Northern Territory, it's a very active weather pattern typical for this time of year. Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected across the tropical north, from Cape York and the Gulf through the NT and into the Kimberley. Severe storms and heavy rainfall are possible through southern parts of the NT, becoming more widespread and heavier into the weekend, particularly around Alice Springs and surrounding areas. Showers and storms will continue across the tropical north, with Darwin reaching 32 degrees with showers and thunderstorms.

So there's a bit of weather really starting to pick up across the country on Friday and into the weekend. Make sure you get the latest forecasts and warnings for your area via our website and app, and I'll see you here again tomorrow.