A heavy east coast rain band could bring months’ worth of rain to coastal Queensland and western New South Wales over a few days, according to the bureau of meteorology.
Flood warnings have been issued for coastal catchments in Queensland from Cairns to Gladstone, with up to 200mm of rain predicted in certain parts of state starting from Thursday.
Affected areas include the cities of Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton as well as the inland Burdekin and Fitzroy catchments.
Western New South Wales may also experience a month’s worth of rain over the weekend, said bureau of meteorology forecaster Katarina Kovacevic.
Forecasters are expecting 30-50mm of rain, with potential severe thunderstorms creating heavier, localised downpours.
“A severe thunderstorm warning may be warranted, but that will be something that will be assessed as the situation unfolds on Thursday and Friday,” she said.
Brisbane is expected to experience up to 75mm from Friday, with isolated storms that could continue into Saturday.
Kovacevic said Sydney would experience some rain, but will be spared the worst.
“On Friday we’re expecting the rain band to come across, and with that we’re looking at 15-25mm. On Saturday the rain will continue, but we’re expecting to see less – around 5-15mm.
“For Thursday we’re expecting a light shower or two in Sydney, which is not much in the way of precipitation. Less than 1mm.”
The bureau’s senior meteorologist Scott Williams said that isolated parts of Western NSW could receive 100m of rain, with a general forecast of 30-50mm for “most areas west of the Great Dividing Range”.
Possible thunderstorms are forecast for Victoria late on Thursday, with up to 50mm forecast for the Mallee, northern country and Wimmera. The bureau also expects to issue a flood warning for river basins in northern Tasmania.
“With any significant rain there is the possibility of riverine and flash flooding, however we are expecting rainfall totals and flooding to be generally lower than those following ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie,” Williams said.
“We’re looking at Thursday being very active for rainfall on the Queensland coast ... [but] while the totals won’t be as large as in Queensland, isolated locations in western NSW could receive up to 100mm.”
