Widespread rain and storms to extend across Australia this week

07/10/2022

Issued: 5:30pm AEDT Friday 7 October 2022

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are moving across southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania over the weekend, bringing renewed and prolonged flooding.

New South Wales

Widespread moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to affect much of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania over the weekend, bringing renewed and

A rain system will bring thunderstorms and wet conditions for the weekend and on Monday, across much of the state.

With the combination of locally falling rain and flood peaks moving downstream, extensive and significant riverine flooding is likely for many inland catchments.

Numerous flood warnings are in place and, with a wetter than usual spring and saturated soils, many dams are at capacity and catchments are very sensitive to rainfall.

Major flooding is already occurring across the Macquarie, Darling, Culgoa and Lachlan rivers.

Numerous flood watches have been issued for renewed flooding across both inland and central coastal regions of New South Wales, including major flooding for the Gwydir, Namoi, Macquarie, Belubula rivers, Mandagery Creek, Lachlan and Bogan rivers, Colo River, Wollombi Brook and Lower Hunter rivers.

Many more catchments are listed for minor to moderate flooding.

Soon after 1pm on Thursday 6 October 2022, Sydney's official rain gauge at Observatory Hill reached a cumulative annual rainfall total of 2194.6 mm since 1 January 2022.

This is a new annual record for rain gauges at Sydney (Observatory Hill), exceeding the previous record of 2194.0 mm set over the full 12-months of 1950. The Bureau of Meteorology's observations for this site date back to 1858.

The March and July 2022 monthly rainfall totals at Observatory Hill were the highest on record for their respective months.

Sydney Airport also exceeded its previous annual cumulative rainfall total on Thursday 6 October, while several other long-term sites near coastal Sydney exceeded their previous annual record by the end of September, notably Randwick, Bankstown and Lucas Heights.

Victoria

A cold front is expected today for Victoria, with showers and thunderstorms continuing.

Heavy rainfall is expected in the central and north-east slopes and ranges, and significant rain is also possible for the Yarra and Dandenong ranges and the Bass Coast.

On Saturday, showers are forecast for southern areas of Victoria, and they will ease on Sunday.

Moderate Flood Watches are current for the Avoca and Loddon rivers.

Minor to Moderate Flood Watches are current for the Murray River and Edward River. Minor Flood Watches are current for the Snowy River, Yarra River, Merri Creek, Werribee River, Ovens and King rivers, Kiewa and Seven rivers, and Castle Creek.

Flood Watches are current across Victoria.

Queensland

Today showers and thunderstorms are increasing over western Queensland.

Severe thunderstorms are possible in the far south-west today and will spread to the southern interior of the state on Saturday.

Heavy rainfall is expected on Saturday.

Showers and thunderstorms will extend across the east and south-east of the state on Sunday.

Minor Flood Warnings have been issued for the Barcoo River and Cooper Creek, Bokhara River, Bulloo River, Macintyre River, Paroo River. A General Flood Warning has been issued for the Weir River.

Minor flooding will continue in southern and south-west Queensland, with a Flood Watch current for inland catchments.

Tasmania

Showers are expected for the rest of today before moving to the west of the state tonight where showers will likely continue during Saturday.

There is a slight chance of thunderstorms throughout the south-east of the state this afternoon.

Minor Flood Warnings are current for the North Esk, Meander and Mersey rivers.

A Moderate Flood warning is current for South Esk river.

South Australia

Showers are expected for the rest of today over the agricultural area, the north-east and far north of South Australia.

Thunderstorms are possible over the far north-east today and Saturday.

Sunday is expected to be dry before a low-pressure trough from the west brings more rain early next week.

A High Flow Advice has been issued for the Murray River, and a Flood Advice has been issued for shack areas between Cadell and Mannum.

For all the latest Warnings see the National Warnings Summary (bom.gov.au).

Know you weather, know your risk. Communities should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings via our website and BOM Weather app and follow advice of emergency services.