Wet and stormy weather is predicted to hit several states this week, with wild conditions refusing to take a break for the Australia Day holiday.
WA
Tropical Cyclone Freddy is likely to develop over Western Australia on Saturday, bringing damaging wind gusts and significant rainfall.
If the cyclone develops, it could bring wind gusts of up to 125 km/h and heavy rainfall.
Modeling suggests that between 150 and 300 mm of rain can fall in 12 to 35 hours in a short and sharp downpour.
NSW
Spectacular thunderstorms were seen over Sydney on Tuesday night. At about 9 p.m., lightning bolts began to flash across the sky before the evening storms arrived.
Millions are expected to take to the sun on Australia Day, but Sydneysiders have been warned to brace themselves for an afternoon change.
“A warm and mostly sunny morning will entice millions of people to get outside in the Greater Sydney region,” said Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino.
“But the pleasant morning weather hides the threat of afternoon thunderstorms that could become severe.”
Thunderstorms will develop around the beaches and western parts of Sydney by noon, threatening damaging winds, heavy rain and large hail.
Sydney is expected to top out at 31C in the city and 35C in the west, with high humidity.
Victoria
Flash flooding and power outages hit Victoria on Tuesday afternoon after severe thunderstorms developed.
At least 24mm of rain fell on Geelong Racecourse in the period from 90 minutes to 3.30pm.
More than 3,000 homes were left without power when lightning struck.
Weatherzone meteorologist Anthony Sharwood said storms remain possible across most of eastern Australia for the next few days.
Overcast skies and drizzle are predicted to pass through southern Victoria on Thursday before moving north across the border.
SA
Weather will remain good in South Australia for most of the week before a cool change brings significant rainfall towards the weekend.
Temperatures will remain below 30C before Friday when sweltering heat will grip Adelaide.
The mercury could hit 37C before the weekend.
A shower of rain will roll through the state on Saturday morning, according to Sky News meteorologist Alison Osborne.
Queensland
Humid and “unstable” conditions are forecast in southeastern Queensland to kick off Australia Day.
Showers may develop in the afternoon, concentrated around areas further inland, while coastal areas may be spared.
They will likely remain at the bottom of the state until Friday before clearing up for the weekend.
Temperatures will remain around 30 degrees for the rest of the week.
Tasmania
Hobart is currently warm, with a high of 26C expected on Wednesday, although a cool change is on the way.
Tasmanians celebrating the holiday will have to brace themselves for cooler temperatures topping out at 21C.
The weather is expected to warm up again towards the end of the week before cloud cover returns.
TO TRADE
Partly cloudy conditions are expected for the country’s capital, although temperatures are expected to remain above 30C.
During the holiday there is a small chance of a shower, with wind speeds of up to 20 km/h in the late afternoon.
On Saturday the sky will clear and sunny, warm conditions are expected.
NT
The wet season continues to plague the Northern Territory, where hot, steamy weather is combined with persistent rainfall.
On Wednesday and Thursday there will be up to 15 mm of rain.
The temperature will stay above 30 degrees all week.
