Dangerous winds, 2000km rain band moves in
Aussies hoping for a sunny weekend should instead get their umbrellas out or stay inside as a 2000km rain band moves across the country.
Severe weather warnings have been issued for Western Australia, NSW and the ACT, Victoria, and Tasmania.
Senior meteorologist Sarah Scully of the Bureau of Meteorology said the extensive cloud and rain bands have been moving from the Kimberley in WA through central Australia, towards western Victoria.
“It’s stretching over 2000km over the land,” Ms Scully said.
“The rain band is being dragged eastwards by a cold front that’s pushing across the country.”
Ms Scully said residents on the east coast should expect rainfall to continue into the weekend, with varying rainfall totals forecast.
“Broadly speaking, we’re expecting around five to 15mm, increasing to 20 to 30mm throughout central parts of Victoria and southern parts of NSW today,” she said.
“And then of course, those heavier rainfall totals where the severe weather warning is current throughout northeastern Victoria.”
Sky News Weather Meteorologist Rob Sharpe said Victoria and Tasmania will feel the brunt of the wet weather over the coming days.
“We will have rain moving across South Australia during the daytime (on Thursday) and will clear off in Adelaide during the early afternoon,” Mr Sharpe said.
“The focus then shifts into Victoria and Tasmania with the wet weather slowly building for those two states through today.”
Victoria
Dangerous winds and heavy rainfall is also forecast for parts of Victoria, including parts of Central, East Gippsland, South West, North Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and Wimmera Forecast Districts.
“It’s not just rain that’s been associated with this feature. It’s also brought some really gusty winds, particularly to southeastern parts of the country,” Ms Scully said.
“There is currently a strong wind warning for elevated parts of Victoria and also about the Otways and far eastern Tasmania, where they’ve already observed wind gusts in excess of 100km/h.
Ms Scully said the heavy rainfall would continue into Friday morning.
“We’re looking at our six hourly rainfall totals of 50-70mm, so those rainfall rates are enough to lead to potentially some flash flooding,” she said.
“It’s important for the community, particularly our residents throughout Victoria, elevated areas of Victoria, and also down towards the Otways and parts of Tasmania, where we do have those severe weather warnings out, to stay up to date with the latest Bureau forecasts and warnings.”
Melbourne will reach a top of 16 degrees on Friday, and 14 degrees on Saturday.
NSW
A severe weather warning for damaging winds of up to 90km/hr are also in place for parts of Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains, ACT, South Coast and South West Slopes Forecast Districts.
“A vigorous cold front is approaching from the west of the state and will progress across the state during today and Friday, clearing Friday evening,” the Bureau stated.
“North-westerly winds will strengthen ahead of the system today with gales developing about higher parts of the Snowy Mountains district from this afternoon.”
Winds are forecast to ease by early Friday afternoon.
Sydney will see up to 90 per cent chance of rain and a top of 22 degrees on Friday, with rainfall increasing to 95 per cent chance and a high of 20 degrees on Saturday.
Tasmania
A severe damaging winds warning is also in place for King Island, Furneaux Islands, Western, Upper Derwent Valley, South East, North East, East Coast, North West Coast, Central North, Central Plateau and Midlands Forecast Districts.
Damaging wind gusts are expected throughout Tasmania during Friday.
Queensland
Further north in Queensland, rain is also forecast for Friday and Saturday, with a 70 per cent and 90 per cent chance of rainfall on Friday and Saturday respectively in Brisbane.
Those planning to run in the Brisbane Marathon might find they’ll need a towel or some gumboots to see them through the race on Sunday.
Meanwhile, temperatures are set to reach 25 degrees on Friday and 24 degrees on Saturday.
Western Australia
Perth is expected to continue to see heavy rainfall despite the rain band moving east.
The Bureau forecasts up to 20mm of rain on Saturday, with a top of 23 degrees.
South Australia
Adelaide will cop a drenching on Friday, with a 100 per cent chance of rainfall forecast for the capital and a top of 17 degrees on Friday.
The weather will slightly improve on Saturday, with only up to 1mm of rain forecast.
Winter forecast
Meanwhile, the Bureau has also issued its long-range forecast for winter.
The long-range forecast shows above average rainfall is likely for some southern central and western parts of Australia in the cooler months.
For the rest of the country, residents can expect rainfall to be likely more typical for the season.
There is an increased chance of above average rainfall for:
Parts of North West and North East pastoral districts in South Australia
Parts of central-west Western Australia
North Tropical Coast and southwest Queensland
Far northwestern New South Wales
The Bureau forecasts that it’s very likely Australia will reach temperatures that are higher than usual for this time year.
It comes after a warmer than usual autumn for most parts of Australia and brought very dry conditions to the far south of the country and southwest Western Australia.
