Chilly conditions for Easter long weekend as cold front moves south

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Chilly conditions are forecast for much of the country this Easter long weekend with a smattering of rain also expected.

Last night dangerous thunderstorms prompted warnings across NSW, the ACT and Queensland but these have since been cancelled by the Bureau of Meteorology.

Dean Narramore from the BoM told Today the cold front that brought "severe" storms to parts of NSW and Queensland is heading south.

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A storm rolled in over Sydney and drenched parts of the city and beyond last night.

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"We saw five centimetres of hail around Yass and 10 to 12 centimetre hailstones in parts of the Darling Downs," he said.

"Thankfully that's cleared. East coast looking fine, dry but windy in the coming days."

This weekend parts of South Australia, southern Victoria, and Tasmania will bear the brunt of the cold and wet weather.

The sun will shine in Sydney and down to Wollongong but the wind will bring down the temperature. Further north in the Lake Macquarie region there will be showers.

Large parts of Queensland will be warm and sunny.

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Bureau of Meteorology's four-day rainfall forecast across Australia over the 2023 Easter long weekend.

'Mixed bag' across Easter weekend

Looking at the rest of the Easter long weekend, Australians across most of the country are forecast to get some rain – the only question is how much.

Senior bureau meteorologist Dean Narramore broke down what we can expect for the long weekend.

"We will have cold fronts moving through the southern and south-eastern parts of the country from Thursday through to Sunday, which will lead to showers through Tasmania and up through to southern NSW," he told 9News.com.au.

Hail fell in parts of NSW when a severe storm rolled through.

"Warmer winds will drive up through mid to northern NSW and Queensland, while Western Australia will be dry and sunny.

"Southern parts of the country are looking at temperatures about four to 10 degrees below average by Sunday.

Here is the forecast for the capitals over the Easter long weekend:

Brisbane

Saturday: The chance of a thunderstorm in the early morning and some early showers before a sunny day, with highs of 30°C.

Sunday: Another sunny day is on the cards on Easter Sunday, as the mercury climbs to 29°C.

Monday: The run of clear skies will continue, with some light winds, and temperatures expected to reach 28°C.

Rain day at Balmoral, Sydney has had a cool change from the hot weather its been having.

Sydney

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with tops of 25°C. Winds northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h turning westerly 30 to 45 km/h in the morning.

Sunday: This is the day the weather will turn windy but the showers have dropped off the forecast. Highs of 21°C expected.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a maximum temperature of 21°C.

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An aerial view of Bondi Beach on January 23, 2021 in Sydney, Australia.

Canberra 

Saturday: Morning showers followed by sunny skies and a maximum of 19°C.

Sunday: Easter Sunday will be partly cloudy with slight chance of showers. A maximum of 15°C is on the cards.

Monday: It will be partly cloudy with a maximum of 16°C. However, temperatures will dip to just 2°C in the morning; the chilliest temperature of the entire Easter long weekend.

Melbourne

Saturday: There's a very high chance of showers with about 2-8mm forecast for the gauges and temperatures of 17°C.

Sunday: Brace for the chill. The maximum temperature expected for Easter Sunday is 14°C, and there's a high chance of showers but only a maximum of 4mm expected.

Monday: The mercury will only nudge up a point to 15°C and light showers will remain across the day.

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People on their way to work in Melbourne on Wednesday as the rain starts to hit.

Hobart

Saturday: Possible evening hail forecast after showers across the day and highs of 17°C predicted.

Sunday: It's going to be wet and chilly for that Easter egg hunt, with the maximum only getting to 13°C and more rain on the forecast.

Monday: Those hoping for a respite from the rain will have to wait for another day, as there's a high chance of showers with a top of just 15°C.

Adelaide

Saturday: A partly cloudy day with a good chance of showers, most likely during the morning, and a high of just 20°C forecast.

Sunday: Cloudy with a slight chance of a shower about the hills and southern suburbs and highs of 19°C.

Monday: Monday will be much the same as Sunday, with a top of 20°C expected.

Perth

Saturday: There's a slight chance of an early shower in the northeast and a partly cloudy day to follow but temperatures will be warm, sitting at highs of 25°C.

Sunday: Another partly cloudy one on Easter Sunday with winds getting lighter by the afternoon. Temperatures set to stay at 25°C.

Monday: Another 25°C day with a sunny morning set to be swapped for showers in the afternoon and evening.

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Cottesloe Beach, Perth, WA.

Darwin

Saturday: Partly cloudy with very high chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening with possible severe thunderstorm also forecast. Maximum temps of 32°C.

Sunday: Easter Sunday will again bring the chance of showers and storms, with a 31°C maximum.

Monday: It's a rinse-and-repeat situation for tropical Darwin. A maximum of 31°C is again forecast, with showers and a possible storm.

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