A powerful weather system has swept across Australia, causing severe storms, strong winds, and heavy rainfall and raising the risk of flash flooding.
The ‘unseasonal’ rain event, which affected western and central Australia earlier this week, is expected to move towards southeastern Australia starting Wednesday.
Bureau of Meteorologist Johnathan How explained a cold front approaching Victoria and Tasmania would ‘link up’ with tropical moisture, bringing extensive rain to the country’s southeast.
‘Thursday looks to be the wettest day of the outlook, particularly across eastern parts of NSW,’ Mr How said.
Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected across a large part of the state, extending from the Illawarra region up through Greater Sydney and the Greater Hunter areas, with up to 40mm of rain forecast for Sydney.
Gale force winds are forecast along Sydney’s coast, including Port Botany and Sydney Airport, which could impact port and aviation operations on Thursday.
The incoming southerly will cause a sharp drop in temperatures, breaking Sydney’s streak of eight consecutive days with highs of 24C or more. On Thursday, the maximum temperature is expected to reach only 15C.
The combination of cold temperatures and strong southerly winds will make the temperature feel like 6C at around 8am on Thursday morning.
Rainfall in Sydney should ease early on Friday morning. Meanwhile, temperatures should cool before warming up on the weekend.
Canberra is also expected to see its wettest day on Thursday, with up to 25mm of rain, while Brisbane’s heaviest rain is forecast for Friday, with up to 20mm.
On Friday, the rain will then shift to northeast NSW and eastern Queensland.
Sydney
Thursday: Rain. Windy. Up to 40mm of rainfall. Winds up to 40km/h. Large and powerful surf conditions in the evening are expected. Min 13C Max 18C.
Friday: Cloudy. Shower or two. Up to 3mm of rainfall. Winds up to 30km/h. Min 12C Max 18C.
Saturday: Cloudy. Possible shower. Up to 1mm of rainfall. Winds up to 25km/h. Min 13C Max 21C.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Possible shower. Up to 1mm of rainfall. The chance of morning fog in the outer west. Winds up to 20km/h. Min 13C Max 23C.
Melbourne
Thursday: Cloudy. Slight chance of a morning shower. Winds up to 35km/h. Min 9C Max 14C.
Friday: Sunny. The chance of morning frost. Light winds. Max 5C Min 17C.
Saturday: Sunny. Winds up to 40km/h. Min 9C Max 23C.
Sunday: Showers. Up to 10mm of rainfall. Winds up to 35km/h. Min 15C Max 20C.
Brisbane
Thursday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers in the evening. Winds up to 25km/h. Min 16C Max 29C.
Friday: Showers. Up to 10mm of rainfall. Winds up to 30km/h. Min 16C Max 21C.
Saturday: Showers. Up to 15mm of rainfall. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds up to 30km/h. Min 14C Max 22C.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Up to 4mm of rain. Winds up to 20km/h. Min 15C Max 24C.
Canberra
Thursday: Rain. Up to 25mm of rainfall. Winds up to 25km/h. Min 3C Max 12C.
Friday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds up to 30km/h. Min 2C Max 15C.
Hobart
Thursday: Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Possible small hail in the morning. Winds up to 30km/h. Min 4C Max 13C.
Friday: Partly cloudy. Winds up to 20km/h. Min 4C Max 17C.
Perth
Thursday: Sunny. Slight chance of a shower. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Winds up to 40km/h. Min 15C Max 30C.
Friday: Showers. Up to 15mm of rainfall. Winds up to 35km/h. Min 13C Max 19C.
Australia’s south eastern coast is set for a soaking as two weather systems bring heavy rain and gusty winds
Adelaide
Thursday: Sunny. Slight chance of a shower in the early morning. Winds up to 30km/h. Min 7C Max 18C.
Friday: Sunny. Winds up to 20km/h. Max 21C.
Darwin
Thursday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm inland. Winds up to 20km/h. Min 25C Max 33C.
Friday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds up to 20km/h. Min 25C Max 33C.
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