A « multi-state storm epidemic » is expected to hit eastern Australia over the next few days and over the weekend
The developing system, which is expected to peak on Friday and Saturday, is expected to impact Queensland, New South Wales and northeast Victoria
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathan How said storms in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales on Wednesday would spread further south on Thursday
« Friday continues to be the peak day in eastern Australia and will see widespread, possibly severe, storms in parts, » How said
« Heavy rains and heavy hail could damage crops and, although some watersheds are already saturated, flooding could become a risk over the weekend »
How added it looks like a stormy and wet weekend in eastern Queensland and New South Wales including Brisbane and Sydney
Up to 150mm of rain could fall in some areas where the heaviest storms are expected
In New South Wales, a warning was issued for people living in Walgett, Mungindi, Coonamble, Baradine, Lightning Ridge and Collarenebri on Wednesday
« Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rains which can lead to flash flooding, large hailstones and destructive winds in the alert zone over the next few hours, » the office said
The same alert has been issued for the people of Queensland in parts of the forecast districts of the Central Highlands and Coal Mines, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego and Darling Downs and the Granite Belt
« Places likely to be affected are Goondiwindi, Taroom, Rolleston, Dirranbandi, Theodore, Moura, Dysart, Gayndah, Biggenden, Mungindi, Tara and Tiaro », said the BoM
BoM Radar
World News – AU – Warning as « multi-state storm outbreak » expected for eastern Australia