Major rain event forecast to bring flooding, storms and damaging winds across Australia

A major rain event is expected in Australia this week, with forecasters warning some areas could experience the heaviest rainfall in months as a slow-moving system floods large parts of the country.

Heavy rain, storms and strong winds are expected to affect every state and territory in the coming days; Flooding is expected in parts of NSW and Tasmania as upper-level troughs and low pressure systems move across the country.

According to Weatherzone, the active weather pattern will be driven by a series of slow-moving upper-level lows, creating unstable conditions that could produce widespread rain, storms and gusty winds.

Wet weather is expected to affect South Australia, Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT and the Southern Northern Territory from Monday to mid-week, shifting further eastwards later in the week.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathan How warned a “significant rain event” was developing in eastern Australia.

“Heavy rainfall is likely and some areas could see their best rainfall in months,” Mr How said on Monday.

Forecast models show much of south-eastern and eastern Australia will receive rainfall between Monday and Friday night; however, totals are expected to vary significantly depending on where thunderstorms and rain bands occur.

Mr How said rainfall would initially focus on South Australia, western Queensland, western NSW and Victoria, then develop into a wider band of rain from midweek.

“However, from midweek these showers are turning into a rain band and the focus is shifting eastward into central and south-east Queensland, eastern NSW and eastern Tasmania,” he said.

Weatherzone said eastern and northern NSW had the highest risk of heavy rainfall and flooding, along with eastern Tasmania, while significant falls were also expected in parts of the ACT, eastern Victoria and southern Queensland.

Southern Queensland could receive up to 100mm of rain, stretching from coastal areas to inland areas including the Darling Downs, according to the bureau.

Rainfall totals in NSW could exceed 100mm across the North West Foothills and Central West, while coastal areas could receive more than 150mm later this week due to the development and movement of a low pressure system off the coast.

“It’s been an incredibly dry autumn so far in these parts of the country,” Mr How said.

Eastern Tasmania could also receive totals approaching 100mm.

The Bureau has warned that severe storms are likely across inland NSW, the south coast of NSW and South East Queensland in the coming days, bringing risks of heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hail.

“The main risk will be heavy rainfall, but there is also a risk of damaging winds as well as large hail for south-east and central Queensland,” Mr How said.

Authorities are also closely monitoring flood risks in already saturated areas, particularly north-east NSW and south-east Queensland.

Weatherzone said eastern parts of NSW, Victoria and Tasmania would also face increased winds and dangerous surf conditions as Tasman Sea lows develop later in the week.

Western Australia is also expected to be affected by two separate systems this week.

A cold front is expected to bring rain, storms and strong winds to the southwest on Wednesday and Thursday before the arrival of a second and potentially more severe low pressure system over the weekend.

This system could produce heavy rain, damaging winds and severe thunderstorms Saturday through Monday.

Although the weather conditions could create hazardous travel conditions and flash flooding in some areas, How said the rain would also provide relief to drought-affected agricultural areas.

“For the interior of the country, especially agricultural areas, this rain will be very welcome, given how dry it has been so far this autumn,” he said.

The bureau urged residents to monitor forecasts and warnings as conditions evolve throughout the week.

“Check the latest forecasts and warnings in case of significant rainfall in eastern and south-eastern Australia over the next few days,” How said.