Multiple states brace for wild storms
Wild weather is expected to lash parts of the east coast over the weekend with severe thunderstorms predicted in some parts.
Sydneysiders are bracing for a heavy thunderstorm which is brewing despite the city’s stifling heat.
The forecast from the Bureau has predicted a high chance of showers late in the afternoon and the evening on Friday.
“A thunderstorm likely during this afternoon and evening, possibly severe with damaging winds, heavy falls and large hail,” the forecast read.
“Light winds becoming southerly 30 to 45 km/h in the evening.”
Flash flooding and heavy rainfall have been forecast for Queensland’s North Tropical Coast and Tablelands Forecast District, with a severe thunderstorm warning issued for Friday.
It comes only weeks after ex-tropical cyclone Kirrilly tore through the same region, further storms continue to lash Far North Queensland with rainfall of about 60mm per hour expected in coming hours.
The warning issued by the Bureau of Meteorology advised people to park their cars away from trees and find shelter in strong buildings.
“Very humid air is combining with an upper level low pressure system over the Gulf Country and a surface trough near the North Tropical Coast to produce an area of near stationary rain and storms just south of Cairns,” the warning read.
“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.
“Locations which may be affected include Yarrabah.”
Bureau meteorologist Patch Clapp said a low pressure trough was still stretching across the Far North and driving showers across the region, particularly along the Coral Sea coastline.
“The wet weather is driven by a combination of this low pressure trough across the peninsular as well as the convergence of the southerly and south-easterly winds pushing up the coast,” Mr Clapp said to The Cairns Post.
“What we will see is more sustained light to moderate rainfall, particularly through the area of Innisfail south to the Burdekin.
“There is the possibility of some more isolated heavy falls with multi-day totals over 100mm but again mostly along the coastal regions.”
He said the fallout from ex-tropical cyclone Lincoln was no longer affecting Queensland’s weather as it had now drifted off the WA coast.
Taylor Swift likely to perform her first Sydney show in a hot thunderstorm
Thousands of Taylor Swift fans will be gearing up for her first Sydney show on Friday.
Howver, there are fears it could be a washout as BOM has predicted rain in the late afternoon and the evening.
A “possibly severe” thunderstorm is also likely in the afternoon and evening, with potentially damaging winds and large hail that could affect the musician and those in attendance at her show.
A spokesperson for Accor Stadium said the show will go on “rain or shine” – with the exception of severe weather, “which could impact the safety of artists and patrons”.
“Such a decision would be made by NSW Police, the event promoters and Venues NSW staff,” they said.
No such decision has been made.
Only 5-10mm of rain is expected to fall, but Sydneysiders have been warned to remain vigilant and up to date with the weather.
Despite the incoming storm, the Bureau has released no official weather warnings outside of the daily forecast.
It comes as Sydney experienced extreme storms, heavy rainfall and strong winds in the past week - with one storm leaving four people in hospital after being struck by lightning.