Australia Weather News

Well rugged-up for the cold snap, Terry Jackson thought cooler weather might get the mackerel biting. - ABC

Townsville can expect the frosty mornings to continue until the weekend, after recording its coldest July temperature since 2008 overnight.

Townsville's temperature dipped to 6.5 degrees Celsius at the airport this morning, 8C below the average for this time of year.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Felim Henniffy said it was Townsville's lowest overnight temperature in 12 years.

"This dry, cold, southerly airflow [has been] really in play for the last few days," Mr Henniffy said.

"Overnight we saw the winds ease off to allow that cool air to get right to the coast as well."

Other parts of north Queensland were colder still, with Ayr (in the Burdekin) recording 4.8C, Hughenden 3.1C, and 3.4C at the High Range defence station.

In the Burdekin region, some farmers lit small fires around the edges of their crops to keep the frost off.

The group of locals who fish from Townsville's Strand jetty each morning were seen rugged-up in scarves and fleece jackets.

Terry Jackson, originally from Tasmania, said he didn't mind the cold, and that cooler water temperatures should improve their fishing.

"The water temperature is too hot — you need cool water for the mackerel and the trevally," Mr Jackson said.

Chilly mornings to continue

The forecast is for the cooler nights to continue through until the weekend.

Mr Henniffy said from Tuesday next week, the onshore flow would increase the chance of showers in northern Queensland.

"Another two to three days, probably up to Saturday morning, still being on the chilly side but after that — Sunday and Monday we will start to see the overnight temps creeping up," he said.

ABC