Millions Face Wild Weather on Australia's East Coast
Millions of Australians along the east coast are preparing for potentially severe storms and heavy rain this weekend. After an intense start to the storm season, more thunderstorms and rainfall are expected.
Weather Forecast and Conditions
Late thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast for Sydney on both Friday and Saturday evenings, following warm daytime temperatures.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jonathon Howe said, "Much of southeastern Australia is set for a number of unsettled days over Friday and Saturday due to a developing cold front."
He added, "Today (Friday) we are looking at the possibility of thunderstorms all the way from southern Victoria across to South Australia and up into northern parts of New South Wales."
Areas at Risk
- Northern Victoria and northwestern New South Wales are expected to experience damaging wind gusts on Friday afternoon.
- Thunderstorms may affect Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, and Sydney.
- Severe storms are likely over the northwestern slopes of New South Wales, southern inland Queensland, and a wide area of Central Australia.
Mr Howe noted, "For these areas, we could see damaging wind gusts with thunderstorms as we head into Saturday."
Heavy rain, strong winds, and large hailstorms are also possible from Wollongong to Sydney, Newcastle, the Hunter Region, Mid North Coast, and parts of inland Queensland.
Summary
The country’s east coast faces a volatile weather pattern with storms, strong winds, and heavy rainfall expected to impact millions this weekend, driven by a developing cold front.
Author's summary: A developing cold front will bring several days of disruptive storms and severe weather across Australia's southeastern regions, threatening millions with wind, rain, and hail.