Australians have been warned to prepare for a wet and stormy weekend and the risk of flash flooding, with no real break in the wet weather expected any time soon.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said a burst of moisture moving across the east of the country will increase the risk of heavy rain.
“Once again, cloudy skies, areas of rain and built-in thunderstorms will be widespread, also affecting Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and southeastern South Australia,” Ms Bradbury said.
“Severe storms may bring heavy falls and the risk of flash flooding to much of central and southern Queensland, inland New South Wales and the ACT, including Canberra, and northern Victoria, including the northern suburbs of Melbourne.”
Brisbane, Sydney, the New South Wales east coast, Adelaide and Melbourne could experience non-severe thunderstorms heading into the weekend, while Tasmania will be hit by thunderstorms on Sunday.
“Rain is likely to turn into patchy showers in most areas on Sunday, but there will not be a real break in the wet weather until next week,” Ms Bradbury said.
A band of cloud will spread across eastern Australia on Friday, bringing moisture, scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Widespread thunderstorms are forecast for Queensland, however only a shower or two is forecast in Brisbane.
A band of cloud will spread across eastern Australia on Friday, bringing moisture, scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Moderate flood warnings are in place in Queensland along the Bulloo River, Moonie River and Warrego River, while minor flood warnings are in place along the Lower Barcoo River, Paroo River, Upper Balonne River and Weir River.
Severe storms with risk of flash flooding can be expected in Sydney, while non-severe thunderstorms are likely in Canberra.
“The higher totals we see today in New South Wales will be linked to where those storms move, and could be quite unpredictable,” Ms Bradbury said.
Minor flood warnings have been issued in New South Wales for the Colo River, Macdonald River, Castlereagh River, Macquarie River to Bathurst, Macquarie River downstream of Burrendong Dam, Bogan River, Lachlan River to Cotton’s Weir, Mandagery Creek, Tumut River, Upper Murrumbidgee River to Burrinjuck, Cooma Ck Dam and Rivers, Queanbeyan and Molonglo.
However, a minor to moderate flood warning has been issued for the Belubula River.
Thunderstorms are possible in Victoria on Friday “but should remain isolated and not severe”, however heavy falls and flash flooding remain a risk on the Kiewa River and Mitta Mitta River.
A minor flood warning has been issued for the North Esk River in Tasmania, while flooding is also possible in the Barkly district of the Northern Territory.
There is a risk of flash flooding in New South Wales as a result of heavy rain. Image: NewsWire/Glen Campbell
Tasmania will experience rain on Friday with a cloudy day forecast for Hobart.
Sydney is forecast to hit a high of 26C on Saturday despite the rain, while Melbourne is forecast to hit 23C on Sunday.
Brisbane is forecast to hit 28C over the weekend, while Perth could hit 30C on Saturday.
Adelaide could hit 26C on Sunday, and Hobart could hit 22C on Sunday.
Canberra is expected to reach a high of 27C on Sunday, while Darwin will hit 32C.