Overview
Following Australia's wettest summer in four years, the Bureau of Meteorology predicted an equally rainy autumn was on the cards for the east coast, with above-average amounts of rainfall touted to fall across the region. If you live in the area, you're probably quite aware that the climate is well and truly living up to that prediction, with a dark and wet start to March that's only expected to worsen — especially in Sydney over the next three days.
According to BOM's forecast, the New South Wales capital is expected to be hit with anywhere up to 220 millimetres of rain between Thursday, March 18–Saturday, March 20. A high-pressure system in the Tasman Sea will create a coastal trough, bringing heavy rain to Sydney, as well as to the Hunter Valley and northern NSW from Friday and into Saturday. Heavy rainfall, strong and gusty winds, large waves and a chance of thunderstorms are all forecast for the NSW coast across the weekend.
Further north, a heavy rainfall warning with possible flash flooding has been issued for the mid north NSW coast, including areas like Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.
In Queensland, the central highlands has already experienced heavy rainfall, with 200-plus millimetres of rainfall being recorded in some parts of central Queensland, leading to evacuations and rescues.
These wet conditions have been pushing into the Brisbane metropolitan area, where it has already been rainy for a couple of days. Showers are expected to continue right into next week — at least — with up to 25 millimetres of rain on Saturday, March 20 and possible thunderstorms impacting the area over the weekend.
Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino has predicted wet weather across the country over the next eight days, with rainfall predicted to impact every state, and warnings of possible flooding.
If you need to head out, don't forget to pack your umbrellas and raincoats — and keep an eye on the warnings.
As the weather conditions continue to develop, stay up to date with the latest forecast and weather warnings via the Bureau of Meteorology.