Weather: The week ahead

THE weather this week in the Upper Hunter area, does not bode well for fire activity.

The Bureau of Meteorology have advised Wednesday presents an extreme fire danger across the Upper Hunter, with gusty winds, high temperatures and the chance of thunderstorms. The potential thunderstorms do not look like carrying much moisture and may result in dry lightning.

A trough from South Australia will move through the region on Wednesday. Unfortunately, it won’t have a significant cloud band with the promise of rain and will be quite sparse. However, it will carry some moisture which may increase cloud cover and humidity, easing temperatures slightly.

Ahead of the front, a north to north-westerly wind is predicted tomorrow and may become quite gusty on Wednesday.

On Thursday, once the trough has moved through the region, there is the possibility showers from the coast may be pushed by a south-easterly up the valley. There is a possibility of showers on Thursday and Friday, although the Bureau was cautious as to how much, if any, rain may occur in the Upper Hunter, describing potential showers as “light”.

Expected temperatures this week:

• Monday: 9 to 32
• Tuesday: 9 to 36
• Wednesday: 15 to 35
• Thursday: 10 to 19
• Friday: 6 to 19
• Saturday: 6 to 24
• Sunday: 7 to 27

Barton Street in Scone, after yesterday’s fire. Fire danageris predicted to be extreme on Wednesday.