Australians on the east coast are being warned to expect a wet and stormy weekend, with those in NSW and southern Queensland experiencing severe thunderstorms.
The Bureau of Metereology (BoM) says storms are likely on Friday evening for those inland from Australia to the east, and including most of the Northern Territory. Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and Sydney are all affected.
It is caused by a cold front, a low pressure system and a warm front moving through eastern Australia.
These storms are likely to intensify on Saturday – bringing damaging rainfall, heavy winds, flash flooding and possibly large hail – towards Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Tamworth, Byron Bay and Brisbane.
The BoM says the focus will be on the central NSW coast to the mid-north coast and southern parts of the NSW Tablelands.
“For these areas… we may also see high and heavy or even supercell thunderstorms, which could bring giant hail of more than two inches, as well as damaging winds and heavy rain causing flash flooding,” said senior meteorologist Jonathan How.
Conditions will calm in these cities on Sunday, although rain and storms will affect central and eastern Queensland.
Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia can expect a cold and windy Sunday, with highs 12 degrees cooler than average.
How were residents reminded that severe storms can cause power outages, damage to vehicles and property, travel disruptions and delays, and make driving dangerous.
“Much of south-east and eastern Australia will be in for a few unsettled days on Friday and also on Saturday – it’s all due to a low-pressure system and a cold front working its way through the country,” he said.
“Make sure you have the latest information and warnings as we head into the weekend.”
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