Most current situation analysis (AESummerT = UTC +11) 

500hPa chart: The contours are the 18,500' (500 hPa) height field which indicates air flow at that level as well as the overall thickness of the atmosphere between the surface and the 500hPa pressure. The 540 line is marked in black. Updated daily at 0Z & 12Z.

Upper Analysis Charts - 850hPa

850hPa chart: This analysis chart provides temperatures at 1500m ASL (850hPa) across the Australian region. The coldest air is shown from purple (in the south) through blue and green, and then warmer air is shown in yellow and oranges, and then purple again over the continent (as the hottest). Updated twice a day showing conditions at 0Z & 12Z.

AUSTRALIAN REGION TROPICAL WEATHER BRIEF/CONVECTIVE  NOTE

8th March 2011

OVERVIEW: The first stages of the decline in the Australian Monsoon appeared this week with a marked increase in the pressure field across northern Australia , the ITCZ remains over land dipping southeast from the Indian Ocean to NW Australia to a weak tropical low near the central west of the NT (22 south) then continuing northeast to cross the north coast of tropical QLD near 15 south. The Coral Sea is virtually clear of activity under the influence of broad coastal ridge. Large amounts of tropical moisture remain across the northern tropics of the continent with general showers and storms and some heavy falls, showers and storms also affect the interior of the country from the Pilbara through central parts of WA to the Alice Springs region.

Separate troughs branch southward from the ITCZ extending from the Pilbara to inland southwest WA and another trough pokes south from the central interior to eastern SA, both these troughs are generating showers and storms especially through eastern SA and western Victoria.

SIGNIFICANT TROPICAL WEATHER LOCATIONS: No major tropical disturbances affect the Australian region today, a tropical low over the interior of the Northern Territory 22 south and 130 east will be a focus for heavy rain today with flash flooding a risk.

Victorian Central Ranges Weather Discussion

......including Ballarat, Kilmore, Romsey, Kyneton, Tylden, Trentham, Woodend, Daylesford, Blackwood, Macedon, Gisborne and surrounds....

Specially presented weather discussion on the Victorian central ranges presented by AUSSKY which will include a prognosis on expected weather and a discussion of past weather.

Click here to go to the Central Ranges weather discussion

Global Satellite Image

Lighting Detection - Australia

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Thanks to The Bureau of Meteorology, Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, CSIRO, LF*EM Research, EUMETSAT, Dundee University, IGES, University of Otago, SSEC Wisconsin, Weatherzone and Unisys for allowing use of the images.

AusStorm will run from October 2010 - April 2011...We endeavour to fine tune these outlooks and provide actual expected conditions and update them in real time if possible.

AusStorm is a division of AUSSKY, along with Austrop, AusSnow and Melbourne Storm Chasers.