Latest Easter long weekend weather: Burst of warmth before heavy rain… but ... trends now
The intense rain that soaked much of Queensland and the Northern Territory over the last week will move south but capital cities will avoid a wet Easter long weekend.
The rain will form a band through the red centre of the country on Saturday and move east but rain isn't likely to strike Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne until Tuesday.
Adelaide and Perth will also avoid the rain, though Darwin will likely be wet.
'Most of the country will have a near perfect weekend, the only people who might need a brolly are in the NT,' Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said.
'For the rest it will be a warm and sunny weekend.'
Rain is on the way for the east coast but it shouldn't arrive until after the Easter long weekend so picnics and beach trips can go ahead
An accumulated rainfall map for the 24 hours leading into Tuesday, April 2 forecasts a rain band forming over the centre of the country will have moved east over Victoria and NSW
New South Wales
The western part of the state might see some showers in the early part of the Easter long weekend while rain could hit the coast by Tuesday or Wednesday next week.
Good Friday will be a pleasant and fine 25C in Sydney with the rest of the weekend including Monday to follow suit reaching highs of 27C and 28C.
Queensland
While not in the band of heavy rain that will form over the centre of the country, the Queensland coast could get some lighter showers.
Brisbane will reach highs of 27C and 28C with scattered showers likely during the weekend.
Victoria
Melbourne will see a cooler Easter weekend with tops in the mid-20s.
The rain band should hit eastern Victoria by Monday and Melbourne by Tuesday bring rainfall totals of up to 30mm.
South Australia
SA is in for a fine and sunny start to the weekend further south around Adelaide with the rain band only reaching the northern half of the state.
There could be heavy cloud and showers by Monday, however, dropping the temperature from a high of around 30C down to 24C.
Tasmania
Hobart will see a windy weekend with south-easterlies up to 20km/h sweeping across from the ocean.
It will be cloudy with highs in the low 20s but most of the state - barring the northeast - will avoid the rain.
Northern Territory
The one state in for a wet Easter is the NT with Darwin experiencing humid days with temperatures in the low 30s and showers followed by possible afternoon storms each day.
The southern half of the NT will see heavy rain early on in the weekend with a risk of flash flooding.
Western Australia
WA will be dry across almost the entire state for the long weekend.
Perth will have warm temperatures hovering at highs around 28C but cloud cover should provide UV protection.
Those wanting to hit the beach should be fine over the Easter break with most of the country's south
