Flooding and storms forecast across south-east Australia after dry spring
A major rain and storm system is moving across south-east Australia, with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms expected to increase the risk of flooding over the next 48 hours.
The wet weather follows an exceptionally dry September. Melbourne recorded just 18mm of rain last month, but received about 20mm in only one hour on Thursday.
More rain is expected as tropical moisture feeds into a slow-moving low-pressure system over the southern Murray Basin.
Victoria and south-east New South Wales are expected to receive the heaviest falls. Severe thunderstorms could also bring intense rain, damaging winds and large hail in some areas.
A Flood Watch is currently in place for 16 catchment areas across Gippsland, North East and Central Victoria, where minor to moderate flooding is possible.
Some areas could receive significant rainfall. Parts of southern and north-east Victoria could record close to 100mm, while some areas of Gippsland could approach 150mm. Such rainfall could cause rivers and streams to rise quickly, despite many catchments remaining relatively dry.
Capital city outlook
Melbourne: More showers are expected, with heavy rain possible again on Friday. Total rainfall could exceed 50mm in outer metropolitan areas, while inner Melbourne and the CBD could receive around 20–50mm, including Thursday’s rainfall.
Canberra: Rain is expected today and tomorrow, with thunderstorms possible. Around 20–60mm could fall over the next 36 hours.
Sydney: Rain is expected to arrive from the west later today and could become heavier tomorrow. The strongest falls are likely to remain west and south of the city.
Adelaide: Showers are expected during the day before easing during the evening, although isolated showers could return tomorrow.
The system could produce at least 25mm of rain across a broad area between Adelaide and Sydney, with locally much higher totals.
Further west, another area of rain could bring up to 50mm to parts of inland Australia — an unusually high amount for the region at this time of year.
The rain comes after an exceptionally warm and dry September. Australia recorded its second-warmest September on record, with much of the country at least 2°C above average.
South-east Australia also experienced its second-driest September, highlighting the sharp contrast between last month’s dry conditions and the wet start to October.
Weather models are indicating more rainfall could develop in the coming weeks, potentially improving rain conditions across parts of the country as Australia moves towards summer.
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Source : ABC News
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