Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne weather: Mega rain bomb detonates over east coast bringing flash floods and severe weather warnings, as ‘five-in-one’ lightning strike hits the city

A month’s worth of rain has devastated some parts of the east coast overnight, leading to flash flooding and evacuation warnings in Sydney’s south-west.

The rain bomb exploded over much of NSW on Thursday night, dumping more than 250mm of rain in parts of the Illawara and the state’s south-east.

In Sydney, where almost 60mm of rain fell in the past 24 hours, an incredible ‘five-in-one’ lightning strike occurred shortly after 8pm on Thursday, with two bolts appearing to hit the Harbor Bridge.

The NSW SES has received more than 450 calls since 6pm last night, with residents in the villages of Picton and Menangle, in Sydney’s south-west, told to prepare for a possible evacuation.

Rescuers will be knocking on doors in affected areas including Windsor, North Richmond, Hawkesbury and Nepean as they fear the Nepean River’s moderate flood level of 9.2 meters is expected to be breached on Friday morning.

In Sydney, where almost 60mm of rain fell in the past 24 hours, an incredible ‘five-in-one’ lightning strike struck shortly after 8pm on Thursday, with two bolts appearing to hit the Harbor Bridge (pictured)

The rain bomb exploded over much of NSW on Thursday night, dumping more than 250mm of rain in parts of the Illawara and the state's south-east (Photo: SES rescuers in action)

The rain bomb exploded over much of NSW on Thursday night, dumping more than 250mm of rain in parts of the Illawara and the state’s south-east (Photo: SES rescuers in action)

People in Shoalhaven Heads, on the state’s south coast, are also being told to prepare for a possible evacuation as more than 60 rescues have been carried out across the region.

Authorities advise people to closely monitor the rapidly changing situation.

WaterNSW also confirmed that Warragamba Dam began leaking from 4.20am on Friday morning.

With rain forecast well into the long weekend, it could be a while before NSW – as well as Perth and some parts of Victoria – get some respite from the wet weather.

BOM meteorologist Angus Hines said significant weather will hit both the east and west coasts of Australia as we close out the first week of winter, with some areas hit by a downpour of 250mm.

BOM meteorologist Angus Hines said significant weather will hit both the east and west coasts of Australia as we close out the first week of winter, with some areas hit by a downpour of 250mm

BOM meteorologist Angus Hines said significant weather will hit both the east and west coasts of Australia as we close out the first week of winter, with some areas hit by a downpour of 250mm

“The action that’s happening in terms of rainfall is happening in New South Wales, but also in far south-west WA,” he said.

‘The wet weather will start late on Thursday in both regions and it is expected to be quite wet on both edges of the country until Friday.’

Some areas in north-eastern Victoria will also experience heavy rainfall on Friday.

Mr Hines said more than 100mm of rainfall, if not more, is expected to hit the Illawarra region and the south coast over the three days.

Authorities advise people to closely monitor the rapidly changing situation

Authorities advise people to closely monitor the rapidly changing situation

The Bureau of Meteorology said heavy rain will hit parts of Australia's east and west coasts on Friday (Photo: Rain expected around 11am Friday on the NSW coast)

The Bureau of Meteorology said heavy rain will hit parts of Australia’s east and west coasts on Friday (Photo: Rain expected around 11am Friday on the NSW coast)

“A surface trough extending from the Illawarra region into the Tasman Sea will deepen on Thursday in response to a low over New South Wales,” the BOM website said.

‘Rainfall totals of between 100 and 150mm are likely, with isolated totals of 250mm possible.’

A flood warning has been issued for parts of Wollongong, Nowra, Bowral, Ulladulla, Taralga and Nerriga.

Rivers forecast for minor flooding include the Cooks River, Shoalhaven River, St Georges Basin, Moruya and Deua Rivers.

Sydney has already seen unusually heavy rain this week (photo is Moore Park)

Sydney has already seen unusually heavy rain this week (photo is Moore Park)

Particular rivers under flood watch include the Upper Nepean River, Hawkesbury and Lower Nepean Rivers, Colo River, Georges and Woronora Rinvers due to moderate flooding.

In addition to rain, the Bureau has outlined cooler temperatures in most states.

But a reprieve from heavy rain is in sight.

‘(But) on Friday the low initially moves towards the coast, but then in the morning it makes a U-turn and starts moving away from land, meaning that in the second half of the day on Friday the rain will really start to fall. when the weather is clearer,” Mr. Hines said.

Severe weather warnings remain active between Oberon in the Central Plateau and the southern coastal town of Uladulla.

The NSW SES has received more than 450 calls since 6pm last night, with residents in the villages of Picton and Menangle, in Sydney's south-west, told to prepare for a possible evacuation.

The NSW SES has received more than 450 calls since 6pm last night, with residents in the villages of Picton and Menangle, in Sydney’s south-west, told to prepare for a possible evacuation.

Melbourne and Perth will also be wet, but other capitals should avoid wet conditions

Melbourne and Perth will also be wet, but other capitals should avoid wet conditions

The agency predicts parts of the Illawarra district, areas of the south coast and southern parts of Sydney could receive more than 100mm of rain between Thursday and Sunday.

The warning came after the agency warned in May that Australia could be hit by the return of the La Nina weather pattern, which typically brings wetter than normal conditions to the east of the country.

There was a 50-50 chance that the weather system could form in the Pacific Ocean later in 2024, it said at the time.

In April, the agency announced an end to an El Nino weather event, which generally brings warmer and drier weather to the east of the country.

WEEKENDS WEATHER IN YOUR CITY

SYDNEY

The number of showers will increase on Friday. Minimum 10 Maximum 19

Saturday Shower or two. Minimum 11 Maximum 20

Sunday Partly cloudy. Minimum 11 Maximum 20

BRISBANE

Sunny on Friday. Minimum 10 Maximum 21

Sunny on Saturday. Min. 9 Max. 21

Sunday Mostly sunny. Min. 10 Max. 23

ADELAIDE

Friday Partly cloudy. Min. 7 Max. 17

Saturday Possible showers. Min. 7 Max. 16

Sunday Shower or two, clear spells. Minimum 8 Maximum 17

MELBOURNE

Friday Partly cloudy. Min. 9 Max. 16

Saturday Shower or two. Minimum 9 Maximum 15

Sunday showers. Minimum 9 Maximum 15

CAIRNS

Sunny on Friday. Minimum 17 Maximum 26

Sunny on Saturday. Minimum 17 Maximum 26

Sunny on Sunday. Minimum 16 Maximum 27

PERTH

Friday Shower or two. Minimum 13 Maximum 20

The showers will increase on Saturday. Min. 12 Max. 21

Sunday showers. Minimum 15 Maximum 21

HOBART

Friday Cloudy. Min. 6 Max. 13

Saturday Partly cloudy. Min. 6 Max. 14

Sunday Shower or two. Min 7 Max 12

CANBERRA

Rain on Friday. Minimum 7 Maximum 15

Saturday Early showers or two. Min. 5 Max. 16

Sunday Possible showers. Min 3 Max 14

DARWIN

Sunny on Friday. Minimum 18 Maximum 29

Sunny on Saturday. Min. 16 Max. 29

Sunny on Sunday. Minimum 16 Maximum 30

WEATHER WARNINGS FOR FRIDAY

New South Wales

A flood watch has been issued for parts of the Central Coast, Sydney metro area, Illawarra and the south coast.

The BOM has forecast moderate flooding in the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley and the Georges River from Thursday. Widespread rainfall between 100 and 150mm, with some places expected to reach 250mm from Thursday to Friday.

Cloudy with a possible chance of rain for Sydney on Thursday, with a high of 18 and a low of 12.

Victoria

There are currently no weather warnings for the state.

Melbourne is expected to be partly cloudy on Thursday, with a slight chance of showers and light winds in the evening. Maximum temperature of 17 with a minimum of 8.

Queensland

There are currently no weather warnings for the state.

A sunny day for the Brisbane region, with a chance of morning fog. Maximum temperature of 23 with a minimum of 11.

Western Australia

The BOM has issued gale warnings for the Leeuwin coast, with strong winds expected in local waters off Perth, Geraldton Coast, Lancelin Coast, Perth Coast, Bunbury Geographe Coast, Albany Coast and Esperance Coast.

Cloudy and a high chance of rain and thunderstorms in Perth, with temperatures expected to reach a high of 24 and a low of 12.

South Australia

There are currently no weather warnings for the state.

A cloudy day is expected for the Adelaide region, with a chance of fog in the northern suburbs. There is a small chance of showers in the hills and southern suburbs. Maximum temperature of 18 and a minimum of 8.

Tasmania

The BOM has issued minor flood warnings for the South Esk River from Fingal to Llewellyn and along the St Pauls River, with possible showers forecast over the coming days.

Light winds and a cloudy day are forecast for the Hobart area on Thursday, with temperatures expected to reach a high of 15 and a low of 8.

Australian Capital Territory

A severe weather warning has been issued for heavy rainfall for people in parts of the Illawarra, south coast and southern and central tablelands from early Thursday morning.

A cloudy and rainy morning and afternoon for the Canberra region, with a high of 15 and a low of 5.

Northern Territory

There are currently no weather warnings for the state.

A sunny day with light winds is forecast for the Darwin City and Outer Darwin area, with a high of 31 and a low of 21.