Residents of southeastern Australia looking for some respite from the cool and wet weather of late won't be in luck this weekend, with the wintry weather set to continue. A large blocking high pressure system south of Western Australia has been responsible for the chilly weather, directing persistent southwesterly winds up from the Southern Ocean across Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. Maximum temperatures are likely to be up to six degrees below average on Saturday, particularly over inland New South Wales, where a blanket of low cloud will make the day feel even gloomier. By early next week, the strong semi-permanent high over the Nullarbor will start to extend a ridge across southeast Australia. This will cause winds to ease and showers to contract to western Tasmania and southern Victoria. However, this will be short-lived with another front on the way mid next week.