Australia is preparing for another weekend of severe weather as damaging storms sweep across the eastern states, with meteorologists warning of potential flash flooding, large hail and destructive winds.
Queensland Bears the Brunt
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe weather warnings for south-east Queensland, where Brisbane is expected to receive up to 100mm of rainfall between Friday and Sunday. The region faces its fifth consecutive weekend of severe storms, including potential supercell formations described as "the most long-lived and dangerous of thunderstorms."
Senior meteorologist Sarah Scully confirmed that north-eastern parts of New South Wales and south-east Queensland would be "particularly wet" with severe storms expected to develop on Friday night and persist through most of the weekend. "These areas may see damaging winds, large hail or heavy rainfall that could cause flash flooding," Scully warned.
Nationwide Weather Impacts
The severe weather isn't confined to Queensland, with showers and storms forecast across all states and territories over the coming days. In Sydney, residents can expect a cooler start to the weekend with temperatures dropping to 17°C on Saturday morning before warming to 27°C later in the day.
"Saturday is sort of the peak day for the Sydney area, with the worst of the showers and the storms moving offshore by Sunday," Scully explained. The bureau has also flagged potential severe storms for the south coast, ranges and Blue Mountains regions.
Melbourne will experience milder conditions with tops of 21°C forecast for both Saturday and Sunday, though thunderstorms are possible on Sunday afternoon and evening.
Fire Danger and Cyclone Watch
While eastern states battle wet conditions, the Bureau of Meteorology has also warned of extreme fire danger ratings through the NSW central and southern slopes and plains. Meanwhile, in northern Western Australia, a possible tropical low cyclone could form north of the Kimberley or Northern Territory next week, though chances remain low as of Friday.
Scully attributed the widespread severe weather to "multiple troughs of low pressure that's combining with tropical moisture." She noted that "this trough tomorrow will extend all the way down eastern Australia into the south-east, drawing a cloud band as far south as Tasmania."
Perth residents will escape the wet conditions, enjoying sunny skies with temperatures reaching 25°C on Saturday and 29°C on Sunday, while showers and storms are expected across northern parts of Western Australia.
