What weather will Easter 2013 bring us? (as at 11 March 2013)

As the Gold Coast prepares for the first round of school holidays for 2013, many residents and visitors are wondering "what will the weather be like for the Easter long weekend in 2013?".

Update 26/03/13: Now with just days to go, will it be a wet Easter and are the GC beaches ready to go?

Update 20/3/13: Here's our look with just over a week to go and counting the cost of cleaning up after ex-TC Oswald.

Weatherzone.com.au Southeast Coast district 28-day Rainfall Forecast issued 11 March 2013

Based on the current Weatherzone.com.au 28-day Rainfall Forecast for the Southeast Coast district, it's currently looking like we'll still have a wet lead up to Good Friday with a medium chance of rainfall, and a low chance of rainfall on Saturday and Sunday.

However it's looking like that Easter Monday followed by Tuesday and Wednesday could shape up to be relatively rain free and let the Gold Coast shine! Obviously these long-term forecasts are just that, and could change greatly over the next two weeks.

Beach clean-up continues

Whilst recent spates of wet & wild weather across South-East Queensland left some our beaches a little worse for wear, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says beaches will be open for the Easter break. “I want everyone to know that the Gold Coast is still the best place in Australia to come for an Easter break,” said Mayor Tate.

Machinery is brought in to clear a path to Main Beach on Feb 23, 2013
Source: ABC News Gold Coast / Candice Marshall

“Every day the city is making progress on returning the beaches to their pristine best. We’re spending $20,000 daily to make them clean and safe to access."

"If a lazy day at the beach is your idea of holiday fun, there’s still no better place in Australia than the Gold Coast.” The Mayor said a Gold Coast Easter break was also about more than just the beach experience.

“From festival fun in Surfers Paradise, shows, family fun in the parks, theme parks and restaurants, we have it all,” he said.

Easter Public Holidays:

Within Queensland, the following dates are set as Public Holidays (from the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General) :

Good Friday: Friday 29 March 2013
Easter Saturday: Saturday 30 March 2013
Easter Monday: Monday 1 April

What about the next 7 days?

Here's the latest 7-day forecast for the Gold Coast from the Bureau of Meteorology:

Don't forget to check out our Facebook competition "Are you prepared for Severe Weather?" for your chance to WIN a Solar Powered Pocket Radio or Solar Powered Key Ring torch! Entries close on 17th March 2013.