A powerful weather system is stirring over the east coast of Australia, with authorities warning of heavy downpours increasing flood risk, damaging wind gusts and erosive surf.
Some parts of Southeast Queensland and eastern NSW could be hit by up to 300mm of heavy rainfall in the 48 hours from Friday to Saturday, with Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra likely to receive these significant totals.
The worst of the weather will arrive on Friday, with areas from Brisbane down to the NSW South Coast forecast to get between 50 and 100mm of rainfall.
Residents of the two states are being warned of increased flood risk as some catchments in Queensland and northern NSW are relatively wet.
Minor to major flooding is possible along the Hawkesbury Nepean River from late Friday.
Thunderstorms are possible over the Northern Rivers ranges and damaging wind gusts of up to 100km/h could develop along the coastline.
While powerful and erosive surf could bring waves of up to 5 metres on Saturday, with vulnerable areas like Collaroy Beach possibly in the firing line.
Over the weekend, the system will then drift south towards Victoria and eastern Tasmania.
Here’s what the weather is looking like in each state in the coming days.
NSW
Up to 40mm could fall in Sydney on Thursday with a high of 23C. Heavier falls will arrive on Friday with up to 150mm possible in just 48 hours. The sun will likely return on Sunday with a high of 28C.
ACT
The nation’s capital is in for a wet weekend with showers expected from Friday to Sunday.
A high of 20C for Thursday and the temperature unlikely to hit the mid twenties all weekend.
Victoria
Melbourne residents will escape the worst of the wet weather this weekend.
However cooler temperatures have arrived for the first week of April, with a high of 21C every day.
Queensland
Brisbane is in for a steady stream of rainfall, with about 25mm expected to fall each day until Monday.
The temperature remains warm with a high of 27C on Friday and Saturday.
Western Australia
The west of the country is experiencing a final blast of heat before the cooler weather kicks in. The mercury should crack 32C every day this weekend and stay mostly sunny.
South Australia
Adelaide locals will get a largely dry but cloudy weekend with a high of 25C on Saturday.
Showers are possible on both days.
Tasmania
Hobart is in for a mostly sunny, cool weekend with a high of 20C on Friday.
NT
A thunderstorm is possible in Darwin on Friday. A high of 34C forecast for Saturday and Sunday, with showers easing.
Source Agencies
