Severe Thunderstorms Expected Across South-East Australia Following Intense Heatwave
Hot and humid conditions, fueled by record-high sea temperatures, are driving widespread storms with risks of flash flooding, damaging winds, and large hail.
- Australia is experiencing an unusually humid start to summer, with heatwave warnings in place across multiple states including New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria.
- Severe thunderstorms are forecast for south-east Australia, with the greatest risks in central and western New South Wales, southern Queensland, and parts of Victoria and South Australia.
- Sydney is enduring muggy conditions with temperatures feeling up to 5 degrees higher due to high humidity, but cooler air is expected to bring relief starting Sunday.
- The storms, fueled by record-warm sea surface temperatures and tropical air masses, pose risks of flash flooding, large hail, and destructive winds, particularly in inland areas.
- Rainfall is expected to persist into next week, with some regions likely to see over 50mm of rain, further increasing the risk of flooding in already saturated areas.
The Sydney Morning Herald 
9News 
Australian Broadcasting Corporation 