Easter will be soggy for millions of Australians on holiday as the east of the country will be hit by a ‘very dangerous supercell’ over the long weekend.
Good Friday marks the start of the four-day long weekend plus school holidays in several states, making it one of the busiest travel days of the year.
Those planning to hit the road or board an east coast flight, however, have been warned to stay alert as severe storms develop in the afternoon and early evening.
“A top-floor trough moving across southeastern Australia on Friday will cause the atmosphere to become unstable and prepare for severe thunderstorms” Weather zone said meteorologist Ben Domensino.
“This volatile weather pattern will result in widespread showers and thunderstorms over central and southeastern Queensland, eastern and southern NSW, the ACT and Victoria.”
Eastern Australia hit by a ‘very dangerous supercell’ on Good Friday (pictured, the Severe Weather Warning Zone)
Storms are expected to hit Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane from Friday afternoon
Mr Domensino explained that the coming storms are particularly dangerous because the system will combine with cold air.
While any widespread burst of thunderstorms is dangerous, this Friday’s dynamic weather pattern will feature an unusually cold pool of air on the top floor and a large amount of vertical wind shear — a large change in wind speed and direction with height.
“These factors increase the likelihood of large to gigantic hail and damaging to destructive winds.”
Storms are expected to form in the afternoon in all four eastern capitals – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra – before clearing up on Saturday.
Melbourne may only get heavy showers on Friday afternoon, but a storm could form later in the evening.
Unfortunately for those looking to spend the long weekend outdoors, the wet weather around the Victorian capital is predicted to linger with showers through Tuesday.
Similarly, Canberra is forecast to see showers on Friday afternoon before a possible storm breaks out in the evening.
But after that the weather looks better for Canberrans and the rain will ease by Saturday.
Brisbane is expected to see a storm on Friday before the weather clears for sunny conditions and temperatures around 30C.
Sydney will see a maximum temperature of 24C on Friday and sunny conditions with a top of 25C on Saturday.
The inclement weather could be the least of many Sydneysiders’ worries, however, with thousands of shoppers joining massive crowds to grab last-minute seafood for Good Friday.
Meteorologists warned the ‘dangerous supercell’ could be exacerbated by a pool of cold air that could create ‘big to giant hail and damaging to destructive winds’
People taking domestic flights over the long weekend have been warned to arrive one to two hours early to avoid overcrowding (pictured, Sydney Airport)
Photos from the city’s iconic fish market show customers queuing for fresh fish, insects and oysters.
The market estimates that some 650 tons of fish will be sold when the doors open at 5am.
But traders at Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market expect the cost-of-living crisis to affect seafood sales.
“Customers can make more money by buying whole fish such as locally caught barramundi, salmon and rainbow trout that can feed the whole family,” says Damien Prosser of Prosser’s Seafood.
And it’s not just Easter lunches that will feel the pinch.
Nearly two-thirds of Australians plan to stay at home this holiday season, with 40 per cent unable to afford accommodation or travel expenses, according to a survey commissioned by Tourism and Transport Forum Australia.
People heading to the airport also face long queues.
Sydney Airport is forecasting to welcome around 120,000 passengers this weekend.
“It sure is busy here this morning and air traffic is on the rise this Easter period. We have so much more staff this year. Last year we lost so many manufacturing jobs, especially here at Sydney Airport,” Greg Hay, Sydney Airport’s general manager of operations, told Today.
“But we’ve been rebuilding our teams lately. The teams have all been retrained and we are back and ready for this Easter period.’
Meanwhile, Melbourne Airport will handle 2.1 million passengers this Easter.
Those flying domestically are requested to arrive an hour or two before their flight, while international travelers should arrive two to three hours earlier.
Thousands of shoppers joined a massive crowd to grab last-minute seafood for Good Friday (pictured, Sydney Fish Market)
Hundreds of Sydneysiders lined up for fresh fish, insects and oysters at the city’s Fish Market (above)
Airports asked customers not to arrive earlier than recommended to avoid overcrowding.
Weatherzone issued its own warning to travelers, saying “Some flights may also be affected by Friday’s stormy weather.”
Motorists can expect an increased police presence on the road as authorities work to manage the 21 percent increased risk of death or injury during the holiday season.
Double demerits are also in effect from Thursday to Monday for drivers in NSW, the ACT and Western Australia.
Areas from central NSW to southeastern Queensland are expected to experience the worst of Friday’s severe weather system.
“In these areas, storms can become intense and bring heavy rains that can lead to flash floods, damaging gusts of wind that can knock down power lines or trains and hail,” the Bureau of Meteorology warned.
Street performers for a Wesley Mission Good Friday will brave the weather with an interactive theater performance of Jesus carrying a heavy wooden cross through Martin Place in Sydney.
The CBD’s commuter and business hub will be transformed into a busker’s paradise with a Da Vinci painting and a pop-up cathedral, Wesley Mission said.