Millions of Aussies to be battered by 'significant' rain, wind and flooding
After an unusually dry month, Mother Nature is back with a vengeance, bringing heavy rain to Australia’s east coast over the next week from tomorrow.
“We’ve been lulled into a false sense of security,” Chris Matthews, a meteorologist at Weatherzone, told Yahoo News Australia.
“We had a lot of rain at the beginning of the year, and then we actually had well below average rainfall for June.”
Now a coastal trough is on the way.
“Basically we’ve still got lots of moisture sitting up to the north and the winds have all well aligned to bring all that moisture from northern areas down along the coastal fringe to help generate a lot of rain along the coast but then pushing inland by Monday and Tuesday,” Mr Matthews said.
“Considering we had well below rainfall for June, everything is going to feel like it’s very wet.”
“It will feel very significant.”
Over the next 4 days parts of #NSW could see consecutive days of heavy rainfall. River rises are possible and there is the potential for flooding. People should consider their travel plans for the school holidays and monitor forecasts and warnings. See: https://t.co/SPHgGeisGZ pic.twitter.com/cSjGmF22j9
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) June 29, 2022
NSW and QLD bracing for a wet onslaught
Rain will start to increase over parts of the Northern Territory, Queensland and NSW from Friday as the system moves out from the tropics across eastern Australia.
Big falls are expected along the NSW east coast in particular.
They’re set to start over the weekend, but get much heavier from the beginning of next week.
“Pretty much from Sydney, even down to Jervis Bay and Ulladulla, and all the way along the coast of Sydney and Newcastle, Port Macquarie, even Lismore, and then up into Queensland,” Mr Matthews said.
“We’re certainly looking at around 100 to 150mm of rain between now and next Thursday, with isolated falls of up to 200.
“It’s probably a bit heavier up in Queensland. They’re looking at 200 to 300mm in the far north, up near Rockhampton and Townsville.”
However there is a silver lining, according to Weatherzone.
The trough isn’t predicted to bring any cold temperatures.
Instead, Aussies can expect to feel humid conditions.
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Flooding a risk in parts of Queensland and NSW
With rainfall totals set to hit 300mm in some locations over the next week, authorities are warning of potential flooding, most likely in central Queensland and southern NSW.
However, following an unusually dry June, there is little chance of flash flooding.
“It is really hard to say but I don’t think the ground is as saturated as it once was earlier in the year, so I think it’s probably okay,” Mr Matthews said.
“Unless of course the system develops a lot deeper than it currently looks like it’s going to develop.”
Blustery winds and dangerous surf conditions on the way
The coastal trough is also set to produce strong and potentially damaging winds along the NSW coat and ranges from this weekend.
These winds may prompt warnings on land and over water, as they generate big waves in coastal areas.
Residents across eastern NSW and Queensland are advised to stay up to date with the latest weather forecasts and warnings.
While anyone heading out on the road, with the start of the NSW school holidays tomorrow, urged to take extra care in the hazardous conditions.
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