Overview
- The Bureau of Meteorology expects thunderstorms to escalate from Friday and peak on Saturday afternoon and evening across much of eastern Australia, with severe cells possible in populated areas.
- New South Wales remains on alert with gale and strong-wind marine warnings and extreme fire danger for the Greater Hunter and Upper Central West Plains, and the Rural Fire Service is urging residents to enact Bushfire Survival Plans.
- Rain and storms are forecast to focus north of Sydney, with Queensland and northeast NSW likely to see the wettest conditions from Friday through Sunday before the trough weakens early next week.
- Hazards flagged by the bureau include heavy rain, large hail and damaging winds capable of disrupting transport, damaging property and affecting harvesting in agricultural regions.
- Southern regions continue to feel cold blasts, with Tasmania facing frequent showers, strong winds and snow to low levels on higher terrain, and frosty, windy conditions lingering in parts of the southeastern high country.