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Eastern rainfall update

Ben Domensino, Friday May 19, 2017 - 13:50 AEST

Rainfall totals are stacking up across eastern Australia as a late-autumn deluge breaks records in some areas.

Some locations in eastern Queensland have now seen more than 200mm during the last two days, including 245mm at Alva Beach and 220mm at Bowen Pump Station as of 9am today.

Other standout totals in Queensland so far include 115mm at Townsville Airport and 120mm at Collinsville during the 24 hours to 9am today, which is the heaviest May rain on record at both locations.

Rain has also spread into southeast Queensland this morning and more than 100mm has already been recorded on Bribie Island. While Brisbane had only seen 12mm as of 9am, this figure will continue to climb today.

A band of rain and storms passed over western New South Wales on Thursday and is targeting the state's more populated eastern districts today.

The state's highest total during the 24 hours to 9am today was 43mm at Booroorban and Gambolalley in the far west. Hay came close to the state's top total with 42mm, which was their heaviest May rain since 1988.

Rain and storms will continue over the eastern half of New South Wales for the next 24 hours before clearing most areas by Saturday evening.

The rain has also spread into Victoria and will affect every district in the state today.

Parts of the Mallee and Wimmera Districts received close to a month's worth of rain during the 24 hours to 9am today, including 31mm at Kerang and 30mm at Warracknabeal. This was the heaviest May rain in 25 years for Kerang and the heaviest in eight months at Warracknabeal.

Rain will continue to spread across Victoria today, before drier weather returns on the weekend.

Tasmania is yet to see any significant rain from this system, although the state won't miss out. Rain and storms will increase in the north tonight and spread statewide on Saturday, before clearing most areas by Sunday. A severe weather warning for heavy rain and a flood watch have been issued in the state's north and northeast.

This rain event is unusual for this time of year in terms of the amount and distribution of rain across eastern and southeast Australia. More typical late-autumn weather will return from Sunday as the rain-bearing system moves into the Tasman Sea.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2017

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A very wet weekend for southeast Qld, northeast NSW

11:48 AEST A prolonged rainfall event is set to bring large totals to parts of NSW and Qld from Saturday, with possible heavy falls and flooding. A low-pressure system in the Coral Sea, a deepening coastal trough and persistent easterlies will bring moisture-laden air into southeast Qld and northeast NSW will bring days of rainfall to the region. While there is not a drop of rain on the radar over southeast Qld and Northeast NSW on Friday morning, the mass of cloud associated with a low in the Coral Sea will enhance rainfall over the weekend.