The weather is expected to remain wet for inland NSW and the alpine regions of Victoria today as the biggest frontal system of the season clears.
Key points:
- Forecast of rain, wind and flooding in the alpine regions of NSW and Victoria
- The forecast comes as a series of cold fronts sweep across Australia
- Warmer temperatures and rain are bad news for the ski slopes
The complex low pressure system is not being followed by the usual cold snap, which is great news for those sick of shivering but a concern for the ski slopes.
Why all the wild weather?
The first of a series of cold fronts moved across Western Australia on Monday, where some suburbs of Perth were hit by the highest wind gusts on record and power outages wreaked havoc in the airport
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The next one swept across South Australia on Tuesday.
Today a third is sweeping across the southeast.
“This will take advantage of some tropical moisture, leading to widespread rain across much of inland New South Wales and north-east Victoria,” the bureau’s meteorologist said weatherman Dean Narramore.
“The main band will begin to pick up on Thursday morning and then spread across New South Wales and north-east Victoria on Thursday afternoon and Thursday night.”
He said the heaviest falls were expected west of the Great Dividing Range.
Heavy rain is expected over the next few days. (Provided: Bureau of Meteorology)
“This is more of an inland rain event,” Narramore said.
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He said more than 100 millimeters of rain could fall on Victorian alpine regions today.
“This could cause minor to moderate flooding in some of our rivers, creeks and streams,” he said.
“So, something to watch as you move on later from Thursday to Friday.”
Rain is also expected to continue in northern and western Tasmania, where flood warnings are also in place.
Wind impacts are not expected to be as severe as in recent days.
But Mr Narramore warned gusts of around 100km/h were still likely in parts of north-east Victoria, particularly in alpine areas.
He said higher areas of New South Wales were also at risk of strong winds, with gusts of up to 125 kilometers per hour expected in the snow-capped mountains.
Keep an eye out for warnings
Victoria State Emergency Service chief operating officer Tim Wiebusch urged people to keep up to date with emergency information.
“Make sure you heed the advice of emergency services and secure loose items in and around your home, park your vehicle under cover, away from trees and stay indoors until the bad weather has passed,” he said .
“As we expect heavy rain in parts of Victoria, it is important that you never drive through flood water.
“Trying to drive through flood waters may be the last decision you make,” he said.
Bad news for snowfields
Cold fronts are usually followed by a blast of icy air from the south. But this time the temperatures have remained remarkably mild.
Mr Narramore said this was because the large low complex had been blocking cold air from rising.
He said it had instead stuck in south-west Western Australia.
“So large parts of WA are in that westerly or southwesterly flow behind the cold front and low pressure system, that’s driving the much colder conditions there,” he said.
“But in the eastern parts of Australia, we’ve been in north or northwest flow ahead of all these fronts.”
He said snow levels would be “very high,” probably only on the peaks.
Rain is the worst possible news when you’re trying to maintain a snowpack. (Chris Hawking)
“The rest of our ski resorts, especially in Victoria, can only see rain for the most part,” he said.
The end is in sight
Conditions are expected to ease across Western and South Australia today.
“Friday will still see patchy showers across much of the south-east,” Narramore said.
“But this large, complex low pressure system will weaken as we move into Thursday and Friday.
“Most of the country should be fine and partly cloudy as we head into the weekend.”