- Wet and stormy days expected in NSW and Qld
- Provides relief after early season wildfires
- 20mm of rain near the NSW/Queensland border on Friday
Rains are beginning to drench fire-ravaged lands on the east coast, marking the start of a wet weekend for residents of NSW and Queensland.
A series of wet and stormy days are expected to drench parts of NSW and Queensland from this weekend, with up to ten days of rain forecast in some regions.
About 20mm of rain fell on Friday afternoon near Tenterfield – on the NSW-Queensland border – where a number of major fires were raging.
However, the storms are not all good news for firefighting efforts, with the NSW RFS urging residents to check their properties for new fires after dozens of lightning strikes were detected near Tenterfield on Friday afternoon.
A series of wet and stormy days are expected to drench parts of NSW and Queensland from this weekend, with up to 10 days of rain forecast in some regions
Just north of the border, about 27mm of rain was recorded in the Wallangarra region, where firefighters are still battling two blazes.
At one point, at least 80 fires were burning in both NSW and Queensland, with multiple evacuation orders issued and dozens of properties destroyed.
A number of active fire areas in northern NSW and southern Qld are likely to experience rain this weekend.
Cooler and moister easterly winds will also contribute to better firefighting conditions and hopefully help extinguish persistent fires.
Between 20mm and 40mm of rain is forecast to fall across central and northern NSW and south-east and central Queensland.
Some WeatherZone modeling suggests up to 100mm could fall in northern NSW before next Friday.
Thunderstorms may become a daily occurrence during this wet weather, with the risk of severe weather conditions.
Forecasters point to an increased risk of flash flooding.
Here’s the weather forecast in each capital this weekend.
Perth
The sky will clear on Saturday and the temperature will rise another degree to 37 degrees Celsius.
The heat will decrease on Sunday, but will remain warm with a maximum of 28 degrees.
Darwin
The northernmost capital will enjoy a series of days with a maximum of 35 degrees Celsius this weekend.
Clear, sunny conditions are forecast through Sunday with a slight chance of rain.
Between 20mm and 40mm of rain is forecast to fall across central and northern NSW and south-east and central Queensland. Photo WeatherZone
Adelaide
The sun will shine this weekend, causing the temperature to rise to 25 degrees on Sunday.
Melbourne
Residents of Victoria’s capital will be spared from the downpours hitting other east coast states this weekend.
However, they will not reach the same warm temperatures as the states in the west of the country.
A maximum of 18 degrees Celsius is predicted for Saturday and slightly warmer on Sunday with a maximum of 23 degrees.
Hobart
A 40 percent chance of showers is forecast for Saturday, with a maximum of 15 degrees.
The rain is likely to decrease on Sunday with cloudy skies and a low temperature of 7 degrees.
Sydney
Showers will fall over Sydney this weekend, with up to 30mm expected to fall across the city before Sunday.
A high of 25 degrees will be the warmest part of the weekend.
Canberra
A chance of showers is expected in the country’s capital on Saturday.
Hopefully the rain will clear by Sunday, although temperatures will remain cool with a high of 20 degrees.
Brisbane
Showers are forecast in Brisbane over the next week, although temperatures will remain fairly warm.
The maximum temperature on Saturday will be 26 degrees.
The heaviest rain is likely to fall on Sunday, with forecasts of up to 20mm.