Eastern Australia is bracing for an extended spell of wet weather expected to last into early next week, with south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales already experiencing significant rainfall. According to Miriam Bradbury, senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, scattered showers have developed across the eastern seaboard, with rain totals reaching up to 40mm in several locations.
The Sunshine Coast and offshore islands in Queensland have reported the heaviest falls so far, with between 50mm and 70mm recorded. These downpours are being driven by a low-pressure trough in the upper atmosphere and moist ocean winds, which are fuelling widespread rain and isolated thunderstorms across central and southern Queensland and parts of northern NSW.
Widespread Rain Continues Into Early Next Week
Downpours are expected to intensify and become more widespread across eastern Australia through the weekend. While Queensland may begin to see conditions ease by Sunday, showers and storms will likely continue across New South Wales into early next week. Forecasts suggest that total accumulation in some areas could range between 50mm and 100mm by the time the system passes.
Although thunderstorms are anticipated in both Queensland and northern NSW, Bradbury noted that they are not expected to reach severe levels. The ongoing rain is not forecast to benefit drought-affected regions in Victoria and South Australia, where only moderate and scattered showers are predicted. The heaviest rainfall will largely remain concentrated along the eastern coast.
Wet weather is set to stay for Aussies on the eastern coast, with wind and rain forecasted for the foreseeable future. Picture: Windy
Colder Air Mass Brings Temperature Drops and Snow
In addition, southern Australia is expected to experience a cold snap beginning Friday and Saturday. Temperatures in some regions may fall by up to 10 degrees as a cold burst of air moves through. While this system may bring snowfall down to 500 meters in Tasmania and 1,000 meters in Victoria, the snow is not expected to be significant due to an incoming mass of dry air that will quickly follow.
The weekend forecast highlights a stark contrast in weather conditions across the country. While the east coast contends with persistent rainfall, other parts of southern Australia will face a short-lived burst of winter-like cold.
NSW will be blanketed with rains all weekend, with showers expected well into next week.
