Residents of Sydney are advised to plan their routes and prepare for significant travel disruptions as the city expects a week of heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding. The Bureau of Meteorology predicts over 100mm of rain to fall between Tuesday and Friday in Sydney, with daily showers ranging from at least 5mm to 25mm. This week of wet and wild weather comes after a relatively warm start to autumn and uncertainty in travel times is anticipated due to the risk of road and public transport network disruptions.
New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSW SES) issued flash flooding warnings for the NSW North Coast on Monday afternoon, bringing attention to the possibility of rapid and dangerous river level rises. Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, has acknowledged the upcoming week of rain and stated his concern over disruptions and the impact of climate change leading to more frequent extreme weather events.
Sunday night saw Sydney drenched with rainfall, reaching up to 60mm in parts of the city. NSW SES responded to 137 calls for assistance over the 24 hours to 1pm on Sunday, most of which were from the northern part of the state. The region remains on standby for continued wet weather and strong winds, while Sydney residents are urged to plan their travel ahead, consider alternatives, and allow extra time.
Senior meteorologist Angus Hines says while there may be brief sunny periods during the week, rain spells will follow closely. Monday temperatures in Sydney are forecast to be mild, with a maximum of 19C, and the rest of the week could see highs of 23C and lows of 14C. Southeasterly winds and constant showers should be expected, making the conditions feel even cooler.
The rest of NSW’s east coast will also experience wet weather, with the heaviest rain predicted outside the metro area, between Newcastle and Coffs Harbour. A severe weather warning for heavy rainfall and damaging winds is in place, expected to last until at least Thursday. Minor to moderate flooding is anticipated in the Mid-North Coast, resulting from heavy rainfall in the coastal catchment areas.
Flood watches are active for several Hunter region rivers due to rainfall totals of up to 100mm on Sunday night and Monday morning. More rain is expected throughout the Central Coast, Newcastle, and the Hunter regions. Due to the prolonged nature of the event, the risk of major flooding in some rivers by the end of the week remains.
The Bureau of Meteorology has also issued hazardous surf warnings along the NSW coast from Sydney to Port Macquarie, thanks to wind gusts up to 80km/h which are expected to cause significant swell and potentially damaging surf conditions.
Melbourne is experiencing a wintry week as temperatures drop to 2C on Monday, with lows potentially falling into negative temperatures. A more seasonal range is predicted for the latter part of the week, although the threat of sub-zero temperatures continues for Victoria, southern South Australia, and parts of Tasmania.
In contrast, South Australia is on course for a predominantly dry week with only minimal rainfall expected, following a historically drought-stricken period. The current forecast predicts modest rains which are “not nearly enough to make up for rainfall deficiencies” experienced since last year.
Up in Queensland, the week is looking mostly clear with plenty of sunshine after a wet start to the season. Brisbane is expecting temperatures between 15C and 26C for the lowest and highest of the week, respective.
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Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/19/nsw-flood-warnings-hunter-severe-weather-newcastle-sydney
