Storm warnings have been issued for parts of Australia, with a map showing the most affected areas, as heavy rain lashes Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane
A series of storms are expected to hit Australia's south-east, bringing heavy rain, violent thunderstorms, damaging winds and fears of flash flooding.
The wet weather will begin late Thursday afternoon and is expected to continue throughout the weekend and early next week.
An inland trough moving northeast across NSW, combined with a moist, unstable air mass to the east, is likely to bring heavy rainfall to parts of the Hunter and Central Tablelands.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for the region at 1pm, advising residents to brace for heavy rain and damaging winds of up to 35km/h in the coming hours.
Locations potentially affected by the developing thunderstorm include Bathurst, Katoomba, Kandos, Bilpin, Oberon and Trunkey Creek.
Locals are advised to move their cars under cover and away from trees, secure loose items in the garden or on the balcony, stay away from fallen power lines or unstable trees and stay away from areas affected by flash floods.
Wet weather is forecast for almost all Australian state and territory capitals, with showers starting on Thursday and lasting into next week
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for NSW's Hunter and Central Tablelands as a trough inland is expected to bring heavy rain, thunderstorms, damaging winds and the risk of flash flooding.
Sydney
Weather Zone meteorologist James Rout told Daily Mail Australia there was a 70 to 80 per cent chance of rain for Sydney on Thursday.
Mr Rout said the exact amount of rainfall is “a bit variable” as there is no clear cloud mass visible on radar.
However, showers can be expected as there is high moisture content in the atmosphere both ahead and behind the southerly change.
Wages were also suspended during day two of the third men's Test match between Australia and Pakistan due to rainfall on Thursday.
Thursday afternoon through Friday morning appears to be the most likely period of the match with rain interruptions, while wind speeds are expected to reach 25 km/h.
A chance of showers is forecast from Friday into early next week, with wind speeds peaking at 30km/h on Friday and highs remaining in the low 20s.
In the photo, grounds workers cover the wicket as rain begins to fall on the second day of the Australia-Pakistan cricket test match in Sydney,
Thursday afternoon to Friday morning appears to be the most likely period of the match with rain delays, while wind speeds are expected to reach 25 km/h
Melbourne
Thunderstorms are likely to develop over the far northeast of the state for Victoria late Thursday afternoon.
The state capital is expecting a relatively dry remainder of the week, before showers develop on Sunday and peak on Monday, with up to 20mm of rain expected to fall.
Highs will be between 28°C and 30°C from Friday to Sunday, before dropping to a cooler 23°C on Monday.
Brisbane
Showers are expected in Brisbane on Friday, with a chance of thunderstorms and wind speeds of up to 25 km/h.
The wet weather will begin for the Sunshine State's capital, with possible showers forecast every day from Friday to Tuesday next week.
The mercury is forecast to reach a balmy 30 degrees over the next week, before rising to a scorching 33 degrees on Tuesday.
Thunderstorms are also likely to develop over far northeastern Victoria on Thursday
Perth
It's a sunny and dry forecast for Western Australia's capital, with temperatures averaging around 30 degrees for the week, reaching a sweltering 36 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
Saturday will be hot and windy in Perth with forecast easterly winds of 25 to 40 km/h and gusts of up to 60 km/h.
Adelaide
Highs of 33 degrees are forecast for Friday, with a chance of rain and wind speeds of up to 30 km/h.
There is a chance of thunderstorms on Saturday, while possible showers are forecast for the rest of the weekend, followed by drier conditions from Tuesday.
Temperatures will remain warm for most of the week, reaching a high of 33 degrees on Friday, before dropping to a cooler 22 degrees on Sunday.
Hobart
Tasmania's capital will be dry and cloudy for the rest of the week, with a balmy 28C on Sunday.
Hobart residents can expect a chance of showers from early next week, with 30mm of rain expected to fall on Monday.
All Australian capitals – except Perth – are forecast to receive rain over the next week, along with the possible chance of thunderstorms
Canberra
It will be a wet Thursday for Canberra, with up to 15mm of rain expected and a chance of severe thunderstorms.
Residents will experience cloudy but dry conditions Friday through the weekend, with temperatures topping out at 28 degrees on Sunday.
Rain is forecast for the first half of next week, with temperatures dropping to 22 degrees Celsius, along with 15mm of rainfall on Monday.
Darwin
It's going to be a wet week for Darwin residents as thunderstorms and rain are forecast for Thursday to Wednesday each week.
Despite the rain, maximum temperatures will remain high, averaging around 30 degrees.
Precipitation will peak over the weekend, with 15mm expected on Friday, 20mm on Saturday and Sunday.
The wet weather will continue well into next week, with 55mm of rainfall expected from Monday to Wednesday next week.