Severe thunderstorms forecast for Sydney, Queensland and NSW coast

The Bureau of Meteorology said a series of severe thunderstorms is expected to develop across eastern Australia on Saturday afternoon and continue into the evening, with additional storms forecast for the following days. Senior forecaster Sarah Scully warned that the storms could bring heavy rainfall, flash flooding, damaging winds and large hail exceeding 2 cm in diameter.

Scully noted that parts of southeast Queensland have already received more than 100 mm of rain, causing flash floods in local river systems, and that similar conditions are likely in New South Wales, including areas such as Wollongong, Sydney, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, Moree, Warwick, Roma and Charleville. She added that the most likely time for a severe thunderstorm in Sydney will be on the leading edge of a gusty southerly change expected later tonight.

The forecast calls for high-end supercell thunderstorms on Sunday in inland Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, with the possibility of hail larger than 5 cm and wind gusts over 120 km/h. Similar threats are projected across the east coast, including Brisbane and Gympie, and into the Central Ranges of Queensland.

On Monday, the focus shifts to southeast Queensland, where a potential high-end supercell could develop, similar to the severe weather that affected the Logan area earlier in the week. Scully warned of possible property damage, downed trees, power outages and road flooding, urging people not to attempt crossing flooded roads.

Forecasters are monitoring a low-pressure system developing off the north coast of New South Wales, which could draw moisture-laden air onto the coast. The Bureau of Meteorology provided detailed temperature and precipitation forecasts for Sydney and Brisbane for the coming week.