Experts are warning of possible power outages and damage to cars and property amid threats of severe storms in popular tourist hotspots in southeast Australia.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned that potentially severe storms could hit large areas of southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales on Thursday night.
Severe storms were most likely to develop during Thursday afternoon from Byron Bay in northern New South Wales to south of Port Macquarie.
Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said the bad weather brought the risk of damaging winds and hail, including across southeast Queensland.
“Today, thunderstorms are possible across much of central and southeastern QLD, northeastern New South Wales and extending into the Hunter as far west as Sydney,” he said.
‘In severe storm areas, we can see damaging wind gusts and large hail. Heavy rain is less likely today, although we may still see some short, strong bursts.
‘Damaging winds and large hail can cause trees and branches to fall, which could impact property or cars and cause some damage.
“We may also see some power outages or disruptions to traffic and transportation thanks to these severe climate impacts.”
The Bureau of Meteorology warned that potentially severe storms could hit large areas of southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales on Thursday night.
The severe storms, which developed during Thursday afternoon, likely extended from Byron Bay in northern New South Wales to south of Port Macquarie (file image)
The Bureau warned that parts of northern New South Wales and mid-north coast rivers were most at risk, including around Byron Bay, Lismore and Coffs Harbour.
While the weather will extend as far south as the Blue Mountains, Sydney is forecast to receive only up to 15mm of rain on Thursday, before tapering off to 1mm on Friday.
Skies will remain clear through the weekend as the Bureau said the cold weather front interacting with warm northern weather moves away from the continent.
Further north, the Bureau forecasts Brisbane will receive only “standard or non-severe thunderstorms” on Thursday afternoon, with less than 1mm expected on Friday.
However, rain will persist there over the weekend, with up to 15mm on Sunday, with no more than 2mm forecast for Melbourne until Sunday.
Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said there was a risk of damaging winds and hail, including across southeast Queensland.
To the south, hikers were warned that snow at an elevation of up to 500m was expected on Thursday afternoon on the western and central plateau.
Hobart will also see between 1 and 5mm of range on Thursday, with up to 2mm on Saturday; Adelaide will be cloudy and no rain is forecast.
Canberra is expected to receive a late shower on Thursday, but will be sunny over the weekend, while Perth and Darwin will have clear skies and warmth.