Large parts of Australia should be gearing up for non-stop rain and thunderstorms this week, amid grim forecasts that the downpours could last into the middle of next month.
Every capital city except Perth received some rain until 9am on Wednesday, with NSW, Victoria and Tasmania taking the brunt of the wet and gloomy weather.
Weatherzone said troughs to the east are generating rain, while warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures are also creating more rain potential.
“We are still seeing a lot of rain rolling across the country, and it will continue for the next few weeks until mid-April,” Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe said on Wednesday.
“At the moment we are in the middle of a severe storm outbreak in eastern Australia.”
Large parts of Australia should be gearing up for non-stop rain and thunderstorms this week amid grim forecasts that the downpours could last well into April (a pedestrian in Sydney)
Every capital city except Perth received some rain until 9am on Wednesday, with the east coast bearing the brunt of the wet and gloomy weather (pictured, a Stormcast weather map)
The Glen Innes area in NSW’s Northern Tablelands received 108mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on Wednesday, with showers also targeting northern Victoria.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and damaging winds on Wednesday afternoon across most of eastern NSW and the ACT, including Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and Canberra.
Earlier in the day, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the Northern Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, the ACT and the South Coast of NSW.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to linger in the port city, after which there will be a short reprieve on Friday night, when gray skies will clear.
The delay will be short-lived, however, as showers return on Saturday and last for at least four days into early April.
The Glen Innes area in NSW’s Northern Tablelands received 108mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on Wednesday (rain in Sydney in November 2021)
In the ACT, Canberrans will take a beating from the wet weather system moving up the east coast on Wednesday with up to 20mm of rain possible as a possible severe thunderstorm rolls in later in the day.
The weather should clear up a bit on Thursday, with a chance of fog in the morning and an average chance of showers during the day.
Sunny skies and a maximum temperature of 21C are predicted for Friday, before the gray and wet return returns and lasts into the beginning of next week.
Further south in Victoria, heavy rainfall was predicted in the eastern parts of the state, with thunderstorms bringing up to 60 mm of rain in three hours overnight.
Weatherzone said troughs in the east are generating rain, while warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures are also creating more rain potential (pictured)
In Gippsland, in the southeast of the state, there was a warning of damaging winds and large hail. BOM said conditions were expected to ease by Wednesday afternoon.
However, those attending the Grand Prix in Melbourne on Thursday should bring an umbrella with showers that will linger for at least four days.
It looks set to be a wet start to the weekend, with overcast skies and a moderate chance of showers over the city for Saturday.
The 21-year-old Australian behind the wheel of Maclaren, Oscar Piastri, is sure to thrill the home crowd as he takes to the track for the third race of the season.
If all goes according to plan, the sun will shine over the track on Sunday, with temperatures rising to 20C.
Rain and thunderstorms are expected to linger in the port city (pictured) this week, before a brief reprieve on Friday night, when gray skies will clear
Sydney (above) is expected to see rain in addition to high temperatures over the next seven days
Further north, warm and wet conditions are moving into Queensland, with thunderstorms for the next two days.
The storms are expected to hit the Darling Downs, Granite Belt, South Burnett and the southeast coast on Wednesday, as well as Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Temperatures will remain around 30 degrees in Brisbane for the next few days with glimpses of sunny weather to arrive on Friday with a slight chance of rain in the morning.
In Western Australia, rain and storms are gaining momentum with a flood watch for most of the west coast on Wednesday.
Large areas will receive the heaviest rain in six months this week with parts of the Wheatbelt, the Goldfields and to the north in Newman in the line of fire.
In Perth, two days of rainy weather are on the horizon from Thursday with a slight chance of showers in the northern suburbs by Wednesday afternoon.
Rain is predicted to hover over Melbourne for the next six days before the skies clear on Sunday
Wet weather is forecast for Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart this week with damaging wind and storm warnings (pictured, pedestrians in the rain)
Further south in Tasmania, Hobart is forecast to see three days of possible showers to close out the month of March.
On the first day of April there will be a short break from the sun, with an expected temperature of 18°C and not a shower in sight.
In Adelaide, wet and wild conditions are expected to ease throughout Wednesday with a forecast of 21 degrees for the southern capital.
Showers are predicted through Friday, with three days of sunshine from Saturday. Residents will be able to enjoy a top of 23C on Sunday and Monday.
Meanwhile, in the country’s Top End, a four-day streak of blue skies and warm weather is forecast in Darwin, with the mercury rising to 35°C on Friday and Saturday.
Locals should enjoy the weekend weather before the storms return on Sunday.