Weather warnings for ENTIRE COUNTRY as severe conditions continue
Severe weather warnings have been issued for all states and territories across Australia, with residents told to brace for rain, flooding, and damaging winds.
Central and eastern Australia is facing a "severe weather and flood event" with more than 100mm of rain already falling in parts since Wednesday evening.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) senior meteorologist Jane Golding, thunderstorms are expected to develop later on Thursday and a low pressure system will combine to produce "widespread rain and some really intense rainfall rates", with Queensland and NSW bearing the brunt.
We're urging people across #NSW, #QLD, #SA, #Vic and the #ACT to prepare for severe weather & potential flooding in some areas over the next few days. Heavy rain & #storms are expected across parts with the potential for #flashflooding. Latest forecasts: https://t.co/C3ZfSaX6ma pic.twitter.com/4X8gHw67w5
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) November 11, 2021
Damaging winds in excess of 100km/h have hit western NSW, pushing thunderstorms and heavy rainfall over much of the state.
BOM warned a "very moist and unstable air mass extends across the state", as a low pressure trough in South Australia combines with a tropical air mass coming from the north, with thunderstorms continuing into Friday evening.
More than 230 calls have been made to SES NSW due to flash flooding, mainly in Moree, Tamworth and Coffs Harbour as rivers continue to swell.
Conditions 'life-threatening'
Residents in the Northern Rivers, particularly around Ballina, are being warned to expect flooding Thursday night, Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey told the ABC.
"We're expecting heavy potentially torrential rainfall tonight into the early hours of tomorrow morning creating a high-risk of flash flooding and potentially life-threatening flash flooding."
Senior meteorologist Jane Golding says some areas could receive a month's worth of rain before the end of the week.
"We're seeing rainfall records broken that we haven't seen in 10 years ... over the course of three days many locations will exceed what they'd usually see in November," Ms Golding said on Wednesday.
Severe Weather Update: rain, wind & flooding for central and eastern Australia. Video current 1.00pm AEDT 11 November 2021.
Know your weather. Know your risk. For the latest forecasts and warnings, go to our website https://t.co/Vk9ZMDnAfg or the #BOMWeather app. pic.twitter.com/KarYuNFVXG— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) November 11, 2021
BOM has warned of widespread flooding with up to two dozen catchments in danger of minor to major flooding across the state from Wednesday afternoon into the weekend.
BOM warns moderate to major floods are likely around the Northern Slopes, with the Upper Macintyre, Gwydir, Peel, Namoi, Macquarie, Bell, Lachlan and Belubula rivers likely to flood.
Moving into Friday, eastern Victoria, particularly Gippsland, Tasmania and South Australia will all endure heavy rainfall also with conditions continuing into the weekend.
Flood warnings remain in place for southern parts of South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
While WA will remain largely sunny, there are strong wind warnings for the West Kimberley Coast, Pilbara Coast East, Ningaloo Coast, Gascoyne Coast and Leeuwin Coast on Friday.
With AAP
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