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Australians have been told to brace for wild weather this week, as one state suffers from an intense heatwave while another is plagued by heavy rain and flooding.
Up to a meter of rain is forecast to fall across North Queensland and the Whitsunday Islands by mid-week as heavy rain and flooding continue.
Dean Narramore of the Met Office warned that wet conditions would intensify this week with flash flooding and road closures in affected areas.
Areas like Mackay, Bowen, Ayr, St Lawrence, Porserpine, Airlie Beach are in the firing line of heavy drops as severe weather warnings are issued.
Cairns could receive up to 80mm on Thursday, Townsville up to 100mm and at Mackay, some 13 hours from Brisbane, up to 200mm could fall on Tuesday alone.
“If you live in these areas, that means that today’s, tonight’s and tomorrow’s rains are likely to cause flash and river flooding,” Mr Narramore said.
Parts of central Queensland will be hit with up to a meter of rain midweek before the system moves offshore on Wednesday (flooding in Brisbane last March pictured)
Pictured is a Weatherzone weather map of expected precipitation this week, as forecasters warn that rain for Queenslanders this week could cause flash flooding.
“It could cause flooding of homes, properties and businesses and lead to multiple road closures.”
Narramore said the system will have moved offshore by Wednesday, providing residents with some relief from the heavy drops.
However, it’s a different story for those residing in the south and west of the country, as temperatures in Perth and Adelaide will soar this week.
Residents will be sweltering in searing temperatures as Melbourne, currently hosting the Australian Open this week, hits 36C on Tuesday.
However, it’s a different story for those residing in the south and west of the country, as temperatures in Perth and Adelaide will soar this week.
Residents in South and Western Australia are feeling sweltering under searing temperatures as Melbourne, currently hosting the Australian Open this week, hit 36C on Tuesday.
Adelaide is forecast to top 38C on Tuesday, while Sydney will record 30C for the first time this summer and almost a year on Wednesday.
“The mercury is likely to hit the mid to high 30s in Adelaide and Melbourne on Tuesday and could also hit the low 30s in Hobart, Canberra and Sydney on Tuesday or Wednesday,” Weatherzone’s Ben Domensino said.
“This week could feature Sydney’s first day above 30C since February 2021, ending the city’s second-longest stretch without a 30C day on record dating back to 1859.”
As temperatures reach boiling point midweek, the mercury will stabilize in most Australian cities, with the exception of Perth.
West Coast residents have been told to expect a very dry week, with temperatures topping 29°C on Wednesday and as high as 38°C at the weekend.
Canberra will also see some very warm days, with a possible storm mid-week.
Adelaide is forecast to top 38C on Tuesday, while Sydney (pictured is Manly Beach in the city’s north) will record 30C for the first time this summer on Wednesday.
In the upper end of the country, possible showers and thunderstorms with up to 25mm have been forecast to fall towards the end of the week.
Despite flood warnings in North Queensland, Brisbane appears to be immune to downpours and will remain dry all week.
Further south in Melbourne, residents experienced a sweltering start to the week with temperatures set to level off.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for the city on Wednesday, which will remain cloudy with temperatures barely above 23C, with a low of 20C.
Despite flood warnings further north in the Sunshine State, Brisbane appears to be immune to downpours and will remain dry all week.
Canberra and Sydney may also receive the brunt of the storms on Wednesday night.
Western Australia and the Northern Territory will also have to battle with heavy rain and storms forecast for the next few days.
“Rain and thunderstorms will continue over parts of northern Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia through the first half of this week, as a broad trough of low pressure persists over northern Australia,” Domensino said.
“This shower and storm activity will extend further into Western Australia by mid-week as tropical moisture feeds into a deeper depression near the nation’s west coast.”