Much of New South Wales is on a flood watch this morning with the State Emergency Service (SES) issuing 57 flood warnings across the state, stretching from the far north to on the border of Victoria, and warns of possible tornadoes.
Today three states are in the firing line of the big wet, with southeast Queensland and Victoria also bracing for storms and possible flooding.
ECMWF 3-day rain forecast until 11am Sunday 9 October. (weather zone)
More heavy rain is expected in NSW from this afternoon, SES spokesman Jason Simms said, before confirming the service was also on alert for possible tornadoes.
“The SES has preemptively deployed personnel to various parts of the state within the potentially affected area,” Simms told 9News.
This tornado ripped through a region near Bathurst in October 2021, (9News) “SES volunteers are on high alert.
“(But) with tornadoes and destructive storms it is difficult to predict and the lead time is minimal.
“As with all severe storms, the best idea is to stay indoors, away from windows, unplug electrical devices and away from downed trees and power lines and clean up your yard.
“Make sure there is no loose material.”
A large swath of coastline is on alert for strong winds in NSW. (Peter Rae)
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has today issued a high wind warning for the Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast.
Tomorrow it will be extended to Sydney Enclosed Waters, Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast.
The warnings come as a trough and cold front move across the state, forming a low pressure system.
NSW Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke warned Saturday will be a “dangerous day” for Sydney and the surrounding area.
Saturday will be a “danger day” for Sydney and the surrounding area. (Peter Rae)
Simms said an excess of 50mm of rain could fall around saturated catchments in Sydney, the central west, the Illawarra and the South Coast in the coming days.
“The main areas of concern are Forbes, Gunnedah and Warren,” he added.
“They may experience some significant flooding this weekend.
“We are also concerned about parts of the Hunter, which could also see some significant flooding.
“Flash flooding, localized flooding from severe storms is also a possibility across much of inland New South Wales, Sydney and the Illawarra.
“There is a chance of severe thunderstorms across western and southern parts of NSW.”
As of 7:00am there were 57 flood warnings in place from NSW SES. (NSW SES) Flooding is seen on the Silver City Highway just south of Packsaddle in inland NSW. (Live Traffic)
Much of the flood risk is in the center and north-west of the state with the SES issuing 14 ‘watch and act’ warnings across the region.
Bourke is one of the areas on alert, with SES writing: “The Darling River at Bourke is likely to reach moderate flood stage (11.40 metres) around 12-14 October.
“The river level may reach 12.00 meters by the end of October, with further rises possible.”
The inland city had its wettest October day in 67 years recording 45.4mm.
Weatherzone said an end to the wild conditions is in sight.
“Overlaying this wet week is a broad high pressure system moving in from the weekend, allowing skies to clear and days to warm early next week,” he wrote.
Overnight, the SES received 188 calls for assistance and carried out eight flood rescues.
Storms wash mountains of blue bottles onto Sydney beach
Queensland and Victoria
A trough will move over Queensland from Saturday, which is expected to bring about 40-60mm of rain to some sections of the southeast.
Half a dozen flood warnings have been issued for the Sunshine State.
A flood warning is in place for inland catchments in southern Queensland, along with several flood warnings. (BoM) However, forecasters are keeping a close eye on a strange phenomenon swirling off the coast, said Today weather presenter Tim Davies.
“What’s really worried forecasters this morning is what’s called a ‘cool pool’, this strange weather phenomenon,” Davies explained.
“There’s a section of the ocean just southeast of Queensland here on the Gold Coast that’s much cooler, below average ocean temperatures. That pool is actually expanding in size and that’s what forecasters are watching very closely.
“What they’re concerned about here is that the cooler, below-average water will mix with the warmer waters, especially as it starts to warm closer to summer, and that could lead to convection and, of course, an increased chance of flooding.”
Victoria is also bracing for showers and possible thunderstorms later today.
It is expected to last until early 2023.