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Australia is on flash flood alert and braced for a record-breaking deluge with storms set to unleash a torrential drenching over the eastern half of the country.
Samuel Hill on Queensland‘s Capricorn Coast, was hit by a staggering 340.8mm of rain in the last 24 hours, with more on the way elsewhere.
Parts of NSW are forecast to get more than a month’s rainfall in just three days as the weather bomb explodes in the skies above.
The Bureau of Meteorology is warning of falls of up to 200mm in places, with floods caused by already saturated soil unable to cope with the fresh soaking.
Vast tracts will get a downpour, stretching from the Eastern Desert areas in Western Australia into the Northern Territory, South Australia‘s north-west, and the North-East Pastoral Districts.
Australia is on flash flood alert and braced for a deluge with a rainbomb weather system set to unleash a torrential drenching over the eastern half of the country. (Pictured, a woman shelters from the rain in Brisbane’s Kangaroo Point)
Northern NSW and Queensland are already on flood watch, with the heaviest downfalls expected around the state border areas today.
But the worst of Queensland’s rain is expected to hit the state on Thursday.
‘Tomorrow is the big day,’ Bureau of Meteorology’s Heather Reid warned on Wednesday. ‘It will be a much wetter day.’
Parts of the Bruce Highway in Queensland were closed by flash flooding on Tuesday as the low pressure system unloaded over the state before moving south-east.
Vast tracts are set for a downpour, stretching from the Eastern Desert areas in Western Australia into the Northern Territory, South Australia’s north-west, and the North-East Pastoral Districts (pictured)
‘What we’re saying is a very tropical air mass build up over Queensland that’s been driven by warm waters of Indonesia and Northern Australia,’ BoM’s Jane Golding said.
‘At the same time, we’re seeing a very deep low pressure system over South Australia that’s tracking towards New South Wales.
‘The combination of these two systems will bring wet and stormy weather to New South Wales and we’re expecting some very intense rainfall rates in some areas.
‘We’re also expecting record breaking rainfall and potentially some very cold air to follow it.’
Samuel Hill on Queensland’s Capricorn Coast has been hit by a staggering 340.8mm of rain in the last 24 hours, with more on the way elsewhere. (Pictured, a storm gathers over Brisbane)
Weathermen warn the new rain could bring flash floods, closed roads and rivers bursting their banks throughout eastern Australia.
The State Emergency Service is on standby and warned people to be prepared for the intense rain on the way.
‘Many areas will be flooded, many roads will be cut off,’ assistant SES commissioner Dean Storie added. ‘If you are in an impacted area, avoid unnecessary travel and never drive through floodwaters.
‘Time and time again, during flood events, we see the results of people making poor decisions when it comes to trying to drive through floodwaters.
‘And often that can result in tragedy.’
Parts of NSW are tipped to get more than a month’s rainfall in just three days as the weather bomb explodes in the skies above. (PIctured, rainclouds over Sydney Harbour Bridge)
Heavy rain began on Wednesday morning in Sydney with thunderstorms expected to bring 35 to 65mm of rainfall and turn the city’s roads into rivers.
Brisbane is likely to be lashed by rain tomorrow with another 35 to 70mm before the storm system hits Melbourne on Friday with up to 75mm of rain.
Canberra is already at its monthly average for rainfall just 10 days into November and could almost double that after another 55mm is tipped to hit the national’s capital.
Perth was also blasted by the wild weather on Tuesday, getting 40mm of rain in just 24 hours, more than double its average monthly rainfall.
Northern NSW and Queensland are already on flood watch, with the heaviest downfalls expected around the state border areas today. (Pictured, predicted rainfall patterns and locations)
The Bureau of Meteorology is expected to declare a La Nina event for Australia this year, making it back to back La Ninas after similar weather patterns last year.
The cyclical weather event means Australia could face another six months of the cool, wet weather with dangerous storms, potentially unleashing more tornados.
Rainfall is typically 20 per cent higher over Eastern Australia during a La Nina.
Source: DailyMail
