Dangerous supercell storms to pummel eastern Australia with heavy rain and hail ‘bigger than cricket balls’ as thousands of people are warned to stay off their phones and unplug their computers.
- Storms could become supercells, with hail bigger than cricket balls
- Flash flooding possible in NSW on Monday afternoon and evening
Eastern Australia will be hit with severe thunderstorms, high winds, huge hailstones and possible flash flooding bringing an abrupt end to a sunny weekend.
The dangerous storm cell is expected to hit eastern New South Wales on Monday afternoon and continue its devastation into the evening with Weatherzone forecasters warning the system could bring supercell thunderstorms, hail larger than cricket balls and heavy rains.
The system is forecast to remain through Tuesday with the eastern states for a wet and cloudy Tuesday.
The Met Office said Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Armidale, Sawtell and Dorrigo are the areas expected to be hardest hit on Monday.
Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle could also be affected as the front progresses.
The Bureau advised people to unplug computers and appliances and avoid using their phones during the storm.
Eastern New South Wales will be hit with severe thunderstorms, high winds, huge hail and possible flash flooding on Monday afternoon and evening. In the image, people walking in the rain.
There is a chance the storms could become supercell thunderstorms, bringing hail larger than cricket balls. Pictured is large hail in Lithgow, NSW
The Bureau also warned people to stay at least eight meters from downed power lines or any objects that may be energized, such as fences.
During the storm, people should stay indoors away from windows and make sure children and pets stay inside as well.
Severe thunderstorms formed in north-eastern New South Wales as heat, humidity and instability collided across the ranges.
This is causing heat to be pushed in before a southerly shift comes up the coast.
Cold from the south will combine with warm, humid air and erupt into thunderstorms, which could become severe with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain.
There is also the potential for a few supercell storms to develop, most likely in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions.
Supercells are the most dangerous thunderstorms and can bring hail larger than cricket balls, winds of more than 120km/h and heavy rains causing flash flooding, Weatherzone said.
On Tuesday it will be cloudy in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, with showers in Darwin and Hobart.
Brisbane and Perth are the only capitals likely to see the sun on Tuesday.
Temperatures will range from a low of 12C in Hobart and 14C in Canberra and Adelaide to a high of 31C in Brisbane and 38C in Perth.
Wednesday’s weather will be similar in all capitals, with Perth and Brisbane again more likely to see sunshine and rain or clouds in the other capitals.
The Met Office has issued a storm warning for New South Wales for Monday night (pictured)
Supercell storms can bring winds of over 120 km/h and heavy rains that cause flash flooding. In the image, a car driving through the flood waters.