A cold spell is sweeping across southeastern Australia, with New South Wales and southern Queensland bracing for the chilliest conditions.

Forecasters warn Sydneysiders could wake to the coldest morning of the year on Saturday, with temperatures expected to fall to their lowest levels so far.

Sky News Senior Meteorologist Rob Sharpe said it will be a frosty winter morning for the southeast, with lingering showers in parts of Victoria and South Australia.

“The last couple of days have been very chilly for the southeast corner of the country,” he said.

“Still some showers in the mix, but not as cold for South Australia and Victoria. But in the morning, very chilly for New South Wales.

“Even into southern Queensland, Brisbane will be down to 8C in the morning. I bet a crisp top of 22C once again.

“Sydneysiders are facing the coldest morning of the year so far, and even colder than the morning prior, down at 5C in the city and 2C for western suburbs, but at least the afternoon will still get up to 20C.”

Sharpe said Melbourne and Adelaide will see cool, showery conditions on Saturday.

“Melbourne, still a shower or two, maybe a few showers coming and going through the daytime and a top of 15C,” he added.

“In Adelaide, not nearly as cold but still likely a series of showers coming and going through the day at the top of 16C on the way rather than 12.5C that we saw on Friday.

“To the west though in Perth, looks lovely. A cold morning, a mild day before we see the next cold change come through on Sunday.

“Elsewhere, sunny skies across the territory, the cold one for Alice Springs and still dry across Queensland before wet weather rebuilds into the tropics from Sunday or even more likely from Monday.”

National forecast for Saturday

Sydney

Breezy in the morning; otherwise, pleasant with long sunny spells. High of 20C.

Melbourne

Cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. High of 15C.

Brisbane

Sunny. Light winds. Top of 22C.

Canberra

Partly cloudy. Frost and the chance of fog in the morning. High of 15C.

Adelaide

Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. Light winds. Top of 16C.

Hobart

Cloudy. High chance of showers. High of 13C.

Perth

Mostly sunny. Top of 20C

Darwin

The chance of smoke haze in the morning. Sunny afternoon. High of 32C.