Significant rain expected for eastern Australia this weekend and early next week
01/07/2022
Issued: 01 July 2022
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting increased showers for eastern parts of New South Wales from today, with current weather modelling pointing to the heaviest rain falls occurring between Port Stephens and Batemans Bay, including Sydney and the Illawarra.
The Bureau has issued a Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall for Sydney metropolitan, Illawarra and Central Tablelands districts.
Widespread persistent heavy rain is likely to develop along the central New South Wales coast on Saturday and continue next week as a coastal trough develops and then deepens along the coast.
The timing, amount and location of wind, rainfall and riverine flooding impacts will be driven by the evolution of this weather system, with a degree of uncertainty remaining. There is the potential for an East Coast Low to form within the trough early on Monday and prolong the rainfall for several days.
There will be further updates to forecasts and warnings over coming days.
With catchments already saturated and dams at or near capacity, there is a heightened risk of riverine and flash flooding as well as landslips along central parts of the NSW coast from Saturday.
A Flood Watch is current for large parts of the NSW coast with Minor to possible Major flooding forecast for numerous river catchments, including the Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers.
River levels are expected to rise from Saturday, with the largest impacts starting Monday or Tuesday next week. Wind and waves will also increase along parts of the coast from Saturday, with a risk of coastal erosion for some areas.
Longer-range forecasts indicate the heavy rain over eastern NSW could continue into the second week of July.
A large band of rain extends from Darwin into south-east Queensland bringing widespread unseasonal rain to much of the northern regions of the Northern Territory and western and central Queensland today.
This system will move towards eastern Queensland on Saturday and likely ease on Sunday. It is expected to redevelop along the east coast of Queensland on Monday bringing more rainfall.
The Bureau is recommending communities along the east coast of Queensland and NSW, especially those living on or near any rivers, creeks or streams, stay up to date with the latest Bureau forecasts and warnings through the Bureau's website (http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings/) and BOM Weather app and follow the advice of emergency services.
For people travelling to or around affected areas these school holidays, the Bureau recommends enabling push notifications on your BOM Weather app for the latest advice and warnings for your holiday destination.
ENDS
