The state’s traditionally unsettled Spring weather is about to arrive with a vengeance this week, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting possible snow flurries on the ranges, gusty winds and high to very high fire danger in several regions.

Meteorologist Helen Reid said strong winds would buffet much of the state on Tuesday and Wednesday, ensuring that temperatures would swing from five degrees above average to five degrees below average during the week.

“There’s very high fire danger through inland parts of Queensland today extending through most of the stat through the course of tomorrow and increasing to severer in the northern goldfields, Upper Flinders and the Gulf Country,” she said.

“This is all to do with a trough that is moving across the state. Ahead of the trough, temperatures will be about five degrees above average for September and winds wth it as well. That increases the fire danger.

“As the rough crosses the south-east corner we can expect to see a little bit of shower and thunderstorm activity and as cold air moves through the region on Tuesday there’s an outside chance of a dusting of snow on the Granite Belt as well.”

There is a chance of thunderstorms which may bring small hail on the ranges, Reid said.

The winds may also carry raised dust from South Australian into parts of western Queensland.

She said frosty mornings would greet parts of the state by the middle of the week before warm Spring temperatures returned by Friday.