Heavy rain on the way for much of New South Wales

07/05/2024

Issued at 2:00pm Tuesday 7 May 2024

Widespread rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected to impact southwest Queensland and much of New South Wales this week.

Showery conditions will continue along the coast and the eastern ranges for the next several days, as a series of slow-moving high-pressure systems crossing Tasmania maintain onshore easterly airstream across New South Wales.

Some locally heavier falls may impact the coastal fringe of the New South Wales Central and Mid North Coast but totals today are unlikely to exceed around 30-50 mm.

From Friday and across the weekend, eastern New South Wales will see an increased risk of moderate to heavy falls due to an upper-level trough combining with a moist onshore flow.

This may bring a risk of widespread heavy rain to the southern half of the coast and adjacent ranges during the weekend and into early next week.

Moderate rainfall accumulations are expected this week through inland and coastal parts of New South Wales, as well as parts of southern Queensland, which may impact recently flood-affected areas.

The flood risk for New South Wales over the coming days remains elevated, particularly from the Hunter through the south coast of the state, where soils are already saturated.

Isolated minor flooding is possible, but no widespread riverine flooding is expected, though the risk is likely to increase as more widespread rain impacts already saturated parts of eastern New South Wales from Friday and across the weekend.

Expected rainfall across the state:

• In western New South Wales, widespread 10mm to 40mm, locally 50 to 80 mm in the north during the 3 day period between Thursday and Saturday. The focus of the rainfall will shift to the east by Sunday.
• Along the southern half of New South Wales coast, widespread areas of two-day totals exceeding 100+ mm likely during the weekend, with some areas potentially receiving 200+ mm during the event. The peak period of rainfall will be Sunday.

The forecast amount of rainfall is subject to change and will be more accurate closer to the date.

The community in these parts are encouraged to keep up to date with changes and updates to the forecast over the coming days via the Bureau’s website www.bom.gov.au and the BOM Weather App.