Experts have warned NSW residents to be prepared for ‘all weather conditions’ as the state is at increased risk of severe storms and increased temperatures heading into storm season.
Bureau of Meteorology hazard preparedness and response manager Steve Bernasconi said above average rainfall and temperatures are anticipated going into storm season, which typically runs between September and April.
‘While the overall flood risk has been assessed as near average, severe storms can bring significant rainfall in short periods, so flood risks remain for some catchments,’ Mr Bernasconi said.
‘We are also very likely to see above median maximum and minimum temperatures during spring.’
Mr Bernasconi said there is a chance of unusually high rainfall for parts of northern NSW going into spring, with temperatures set to be ‘similar to winter’.
August was the warmest winter on record for NSW, while the entire country is having one of the warmest winters on record this year.
‘The forecast for Spring is for warmer daytime and warmer night-time temperatures on average,’ Mr Bernasconi said.
The warmer weather is set to be driven by warmer sea surface temperatures across the globe, with NSW on a ‘La Nina watch’.
There is a high chance that spring’s rainfall will be ‘unusually high’ with winter temperatures (pictured stock photo of a commuter walking in the rain in Sydney)
NSW SES crews responded to more than 3,000 incidents in the last week of August and the first week of September. (Picture: NSW SES)
Mr Bernasconi warned the forecast could mean an increased chance of severe storms.
‘Severe storms can bring damaging winds, can bring heavy rain, intense rain, and that rain can lead to flash flooding. At its worst it can also lead to giant hail and lightning,’ Mr Bernasconi said.
‘And given the conditions, lightning is also not one of our friends with regards to fire.
‘So with this outlook … we really need to prepare for all weather types, all weather conditions, including fire. Storms can happen at any time of the year and at any season.’
The NSW SES has responded to more than 21,000 storm related incidents over the last year, with more than 3,000 incidents in the last two weeks alone after the state, along with much of the country, was battered by severe and damaging winds.
NSW SES Acting Commissioner Debbie Platz said storms can happen ‘all year round’, urging residents to prepare their homes.
‘Have a home emergency plan and kit, clean your gutters, downpipes and drains, secure loose items around your backyard and balcony, and trim trees and branches that could fall onto your home,’ Commissioner Platz said.
Parts of the country have already experienced damaging winds and destruction. (Pictured crews work to get a fallen tree off a car in NSW in early September)
NSW saw property damage due to severe gusts and residents are being warned to be prepared all weather types (pictured a destroyed shed on a NSW property in early September)
‘Make sure that everybody who resides in your house knows what that plan is and what their role is, so that when a storm does hit, they can actively take part in making sure the family is safe.’
Commissioner Platz also urged people to check in on neighbours who may not be able to access internet or apps.
‘Some of our neighbours are unable to make sure that they can keep themselves safe, so I’m encouraging everyone in the community to make sure you check on them and help them in their times of emergencies as well,’ she said.
‘Our SES volunteers are incredibly prepared for this storm season. They train every week to make sure that they can keep the community of NSW safe.’
Commissioner Platz encouraged people to download the Hazards Near Me app to stay up to date on weather events, and put out a call for SES volunteers.
Acting NSW SES Commissioner Debbie Platz urged people to prepare their homes. Picture: SES NSW
Brisbane
Sunday: Sunny. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the late evening.
Monday: Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the early morning. Slight chance of a shower in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon then tending easterly in the late afternoon.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the west. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening.
Sydney
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Light winds.
Monday: Sunny. Winds west to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending west to southwesterly in the late morning and early afternoon.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Light winds.
Melbourne
Sunday: Mostly sunny morning. High chance of showers developing during the afternoon and evening, increasing to a very high chance over the southeast suburbs and Dandenongs. Winds northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
Monday: Cloudy. High chance of showers about the Dandenongs, medium chance elsewhere. Winds west to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h becoming light in the late evening.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening.
Adelaide
Sunday: Mostly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely from this afternoon. Winds northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h turning westerly 25 to 35 km/h in the middle of the day.
Monday: Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Winds westerly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the late afternoon.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog about the northern suburbs. Slight chance of a shower about the hills and southern suburbs, near zero chance elsewhere. Light winds.
Perth
Sunday: Partly cloudy. The chance of fog early this morning, mainly about the hills. Light winds.
Monday: Sunny. Light winds becoming south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon then becoming light in the late evening.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Winds southerly 15 to 20 km/h turning southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
Canberra
Sunday: Mostly sunny. Winds northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending west to northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h in the middle of the day.
Monday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the morning. Winds west to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h becoming light in the evening.
Tuesday: The chance of fog and frost in the morning. Sunny afternoon. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening.
Hobart
Sunday: Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Winds northwesterly 25 to 40 km/h turning westerly 25 to 35 km/h in the evening.
Monday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the early morning and late afternoon. Winds westerly 25 to 35 km/h turning northwesterly 20 to 25 km/h during the afternoon and evening.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.
Darwin
Sunday: Sunny. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h turning north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon.
Monday: Sunny. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the evening.
Tuesday: Sunny. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then turning north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon.
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