Widespread rain and thunderstorms impacting most of Australia this week

05/10/2022

Issued: 2:30pm AEDT Wednesday 5 October 2022

A weather system is bringing widespread rain and storms to eastern and southern Australia this week.

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall is current for New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland bringing renewed flood risks for parts of these states. Severe thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hail are possible across western Queensland and New South Wales, on Wednesday.

The coming rain is likely to lead to renewed river level rises across many already flooded rivers in New South Wales and northern Victoria, with widespread moderate to major flooding likely across inland NSW.

Some river catchments in southern Queensland and northern Tasmania may see flooding due to the anticipated rainfall.

Daily rainfall totals of 15 – 30 mm are forecast for southern Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria increasing to 30 – 50 mm due to thunderstorms. Isolated rainfall totals up to 100 mm are possible.

In Tasmania damaging east to north-easterly winds are expected on Wednesday around parts of north-west Tasmania (including King Island). Gusts of 80-90 km/h are likely, with the strongest winds most likely overnight into Thursday. A Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds is current.

On Thursday showers and isolated thunderstorms are forecast to develop in the afternoon and evening across southern Queensland, much of New South Wales, and Victoria. Northern Tasmania may also see moderate to heavy rainfall.

Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, heavy rain and large hail will be possible in south-west New South Wales, and western Victoria on Thursday.

Across South Australia the next cold front will bring another band of showers and isolated storms across the state.

Many communities that recently experienced flooding or are currently in flood will likely see rivers rise in the coming week. The ground remains saturated, and any additional rainfall will cause streams and rivers to rise.

The Bureau is monitoring the rainfall closely. The Bureau updates its forecasts and warnings regularly.

Communities should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings via the Bureau's website and the BOM Weather app and follow advice of emergency services.

ENDS