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Heaviest rain in months to soak eastern states

Ben Domensino, Wednesday October 3, 2018 - 11:40 AEST

A low pressure system will bring widespread rain and thunderstorms to Australia's eastern states during the second half of this week.

The low and an associated trough will move over eastern and southeastern Australia between Wednesday and Saturday. This system caused storms in South Australia on Tuesday and will trigger rain and thunder in parts of Queensland, NSW, the ACT and Victoria as it moves east in the coming days.

Wednesday and Thursday will see the heaviest rain target the thirsty Murray Darling Basin and southwest Queensland, with rain and storms also spreading into Queensland's southern inland and along the southern half of the NSW coast and ranges during Thursday. Widespread falls of 5-20mm are expected from southern Queensland down to eastern Victoria during these two days, with heavier totals of 30-50mm likely in some parts of western, central and eastern NSW, particularly with storms.

Rain and storms will spread into northeastern NSW and central and southeast Queensland on Friday and Saturday, as drier weather returns to much of Victoria, western NSW and south west Queensland. As the eastward-moving low pressure trough interacts with moisture-laden air from the Coral and Tasman Seas, intense thunderstorms are likely to develop, some of which will produce heavy rain, damaging winds and large hail.

There are indications that a low pressure system may linger near the central or northern coast of NSW during Friday and Saturday, which would enhance rain and wind locally, and likely cause flooding. However, there is some uncertainty regarding the development and locations of this system.

Large parts of western, central and northern NSW and southeast Queensland should receive their best rain in 5-10 months during the coming days. This week's rain comes after Australia's driest September on record and will bring some relief to drought-affected parts of the country.

- Weatherzone

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