A storm system will hit major cities in eastern Australia, while two cities will be scorched under heatwave-like conditions.
Two rain systems formed in western and eastern Australia on Tuesday, but are now spreading eastwards, bringing rain to the coast.
Weather Zone meteorologist Yoska Hernandez said central and eastern New South Wales – including Sydney, eastern Victoria and parts of Tasmania will see rain from the eastern system on Thursday.
“In NSW, this system will produce scattered and widespread thunderstorms,” she said.
‘These can cause very heavy rainfall, large hail and damaging wind gusts.
‘Sydney is also at risk of flooding, with more than 50mm of rain falling within six hours.’
Storms and heavy rain are expected to hit Sydney (top) and parts of central and eastern New South Wales on Thursday
Rain radar shows the total amount of rain that will fall in every Australian city on Saturday. Photo / 7News
Although the system is forecast to bring cloudy and rainy weather to the east for the rest of the week, Thursday is expected to be the wettest.
“Central and eastern NSW, including Sydney, can expect between 30 and 50mm of rain,” Ms Hernandez said.
‘However, thunderstorms will bring increased rainfall to some regions towards the end of today.
“For Sydney, it looks like the rain will be heaviest in the west of the city.
“The Hunter, Central Tablelands and Illawarra could also see heavy rain.”
Storms forecast in the east could cause millions of lightning strikes, increasing the risk of wildfires.
Sydney is expected to remain cloudy on Friday before clearing for a sunny Saturday with a high of 32 degrees Celsius.
Canberra could also experience storms on Thursday, with cloudy conditions continuing through Sunday.
Hobart is expected to see showers from the tail end of the eastern rain system on Thursday.
Rain will fall over central and eastern New South Wales – including Sydney, eastern Victoria and parts of Tasmania (photo, rain forecast for Thursday afternoon)
It will be mostly sunny in the Tasmanian capital on Friday before rain gathers across the city again on Saturday.
Melbourne experienced its hottest spring day of the year so far earlier this week, followed by showers at the end of the Melbourne Cup celebrations.
The sky above the city is expected to remain gray through Sunday, along with wildly varying temperatures.
The maximum temperature for Thursday is forecast at 22 degrees, with a high of 31 degrees on Friday.
That maximum drops back to 25 degrees on Saturday and 18 degrees on Sunday.
Adelaide will also experience sweltering conditions on Friday with a high of 37 degrees Celsius and clear skies.
Brisbane could see the last full sunny day of the week on Thursday, with cloudy conditions forecast from Friday to Sunday.
Darwin’s wet season is well and truly underway with storms forecast until Sunday with high temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius.
Perth is expected to be cloudy on Thursday and Friday before partly clearing skies on Saturday.
Highs in Melbourne, which saw wet weather earlier this week after the Melbourne Cup (above), and Adelaide are expected to rise to 31ºC and 37ºC on Friday