New South Wales is bracing for a soaked Saturday, as the ongoing wet and wintry weather sweeping the east coast intensifies over the weekend. The heavy rain, which has intermittently pummeled the region for days, is set to surge as a low-pressure system strengthens off the coast, alerting citizens to a particularly drenched weekend.
Harnessing the latest data from the Bureau of Meteorology, senior meteorologist Angus Hines warns, “The rain, which has been evident across eastern Australia the past couple of days, is going to intensify significantly — ensuring we’re dealing with a very, very wet weekend.”
Residents are urged to brace for severe weather with significant wind damage and heavy rains targeting the central eastern parts of the state. Large areas along the New South Wales coast could see rainfall amounts between 50 to 100mm, with some locations possibly deluged by more than 150mm — a level considered severe.
To mitigate the risk of flash flooding and renewed river rises, alongside potential damage from winds gusting up to 90km/h, the NSW State Emergency Service recommends residents clear their gutters and downpipes, trim trees, and secure loose items. Flood watches have already been issued for certain river systems between Newcastle and Coffs Harbour, with most at risk of overflowing and causing minor to moderate flooding.
Assistant commissioner Nicole Hogan advises against driving through floodwaters, advocating for alternative routes when encountering flooded roads. While the upcoming rainfall is less than half of what was experienced in May, most of the ground is saturated. Consequently, it won’t take much to set the rivers flowing.
Angus Hines also mentions that snowfall is likely at higher elevations, with forecasts indicating a possibility of snow on the central and northern tablelands of NSW. There’s even an outside chance of seeing snow in the Granite Belt of Queensland.
Saturday and Sunday’s sailor’s warnings also include the potential of large seas and high swells of up to 5.5 meters across the Tasman Sea.
Capital city forecasts reveal a dreary Sydney bracing for rain, a breezy Brisbane, and a chilly Canberra. Melbourne, Hobart, and Adelaide are looking at settled and sunny weather, while Darwin will enjoy the season’s typical dry warmth. Meanwhile, Pasianum anticipates cold, windy, and rainy conditions to immobilize the west.
Weekend outlook includes:
- Sydney: Rain with temperatures maxing at 18°C on Saturday and 19°C on Sunday.
- Melbourne: Mostly cloudy Saturday (max 15°C), mostly sunny Sunday (max 18C).
- Brisbane: A chance of showers with Saturday maxing at 19°C and Sunday at 21°C.
- Adelaide: Partly cloudy Saturday (max 14°C), and sunny Sunday (max 17°C).
- Perth: Rainy Saturday (max 18°C), transitioning to mostly sunny and warmer on Sunday (max 29°C).
- Canberra: Showers on Saturday (top 13°C), cloudy Sunday (max 15C).
- Hobart: Mostly sunny both days with Saturday at 14C and Sunday 15C.
- Darwin: Sunny with maximums of 31°C on both days.
