Severe storms forecast for parts of NSW as Victoria and Queensland face wet weather | Australia weather

Severe storms with the potential for destructive winds and large hail are expected to move through New South Wales on Saturday.

Storms were also expected in parts of Queensland and Victoria.

The Bureau of Meteorology said storms posed a risk to much of the east coast of NSW, including the possibility of winds in excess of 125km/h.

“These are devastating winds, very dangerous storms,” ​​BoM meteorologist Christie Johnson said.

Severe thunderstorms are most likely to occur across the Hunter, mid-north coast and northern plateaus and may also bring the risk of local heavy rain with gusty winds, hail greater than 2cm and the potential for flash flooding.

Johnson said the greatest risk of severe storms for the Sydney metropolitan area would be from late morning to late afternoon.

“This can cause damage to cars, property and vegetation, be strong enough to knock down trees, limbs or power lines, and potentially lead to power outages or long traffic and transport delays,” he said.

Sign up to receive climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as a free newsletter

High fire danger and warm temperatures were expected ahead of a cold front moving across the state, with temperatures forecast at 32 degrees for Sydney, 31 degrees for Newcastle and 29 degrees for Wollongong.

“It will be warm and partly cloudy,” Johnson said. “There will also be high fire danger across much of central and eastern NSW today, with a fire weather warning in place for the north-west fire district.”

Johnson said Queensland could expect “showers and thunderstorms extending from the north-west to the south-east interior today and moving towards the south-east coast later in the day”.

Victoria could see rainfall totals of 15 to 30 mm across large areas stretching from Melbourne’s east to Gippsland and the NSW border.

This could lead to some river rises and isolated minor river flooding, and flood warnings will be issued if necessary, Johnson said.

Saturday’s forecast for capital cities was as follows:

• Sydney 32C, showers developing then storm.

• Melbourne 13C and rain increasing.

• 31C in Brisbane with a late shower or two.

• Perth is 28C and sunny.

• Adelaide 18C and cloudy.

• Hobart 15C and partly cloudy.

• Canberra 26C with a shower or two then becoming windy.

• Darwin 34C and partly cloudy.