A significant weather front is forming off the coast of Western Australia, anticipated to impact several southern states this week. The system is expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and thunderstorms.
Residents across Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania may experience a notable drop in temperatures as the front moves towards the east coast. Meteorologist Rob Sharpe from Sky News Australia reported that a strong cold front is approaching, accompanied by a trough that will generate showers and severe thunderstorms.
The weather system will initiate in the west and progress through the southern and central regions of Australia, leading to a substantial decrease in temperatures and significant precipitation. Sharpe indicated that the initial weather conditions would be relatively mild, with only isolated showers on the west coast.
However, the situation will change rapidly as the cold front makes landfall. Winds are expected to increase significantly, particularly in the mid-western regions, with Geraldton likely to experience windy conditions and some showers.
As the front advances eastward, it will pull hot air from northern Australia while introducing cold air behind it, resulting in showers and thunderstorms. Tasmania is forecasted to experience considerable rainfall on Friday, with significant wet weather anticipated in Victoria and the New South Wales ranges.
Forecasts indicate that some areas in New South Wales and Victoria could receive between 15mm to 25mm of rain over the next four days, leading up to Friday. Despite this, residents are advised not to cancel weekend plans, as mostly clear weather is expected across the southeast by Sunday.
Temperatures in Sydney are projected to reach a high of 25°C on Saturday, while Brisbane could see highs of 34°C. Melbourne is expected to have milder conditions with a maximum of 19°C.
Sharpe noted that Saturday would bring only a few showers for Victoria and Tasmania, with clearer skies in the New South Wales ranges. By Sunday, the weather is expected to be predominantly fine across much of Australia, although southeast Queensland may experience some isolated showers amidst the heat.
This change in weather follows a series of thunderstorms that affected parts of New South Wales, particularly Greater Sydney, on Monday afternoon. The state's SES service responded to 118 incidents, including four flood rescues as motorists encountered flooded roads. The Bureau of Meteorology recorded over 20,000 lightning strikes on Monday, leading to approximately 4,000 reports of power outages.
As of Tuesday morning, around 300 properties remain without electricity.