Serious thunderstorms have begun to roll into greater Sydney, with the city’s west already inundated with wild weather.
Residents across parts of NSW, the ACT and Victoria were put on storm alert on Thursday, with flash flooding possible.
The slow moving thunderstorms began affecting those in northeast Victoria and southern NSW on Thursday morning, with the system worsening and moving north as the day continues.
The thunderstorms are being driven by a moisture-laden air mass interacting with an upper-level trough according to WeatherZone meteorologist Ben Domensino, who described it as an ‘ideal environment’ for towering clouds.
The storm is sweeping over Sydney
A massive storm shelf is pictured headed out to sea across the Princes Highway in Sydney’s Kogarah
‘Lightning should become more widespread throughout the day and into the evening as warmer air near the surface further fuels this storm-ripe environment,’ he said.
Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra are all in the firing line to receive rain, however the worst of the thunderstorms are likely to be contained to inland NSW.
‘Any thunderstorms that form in Vic, NSW and the ACT on Thursday will bring an increased risk of flash flooding due to weak steering winds causing the storms to be slow-moving,’ Mr Domensino warned.
‘While heavy rain is the main threat, large hail and damaging winds are also possible.’
Rain has plagued the southeast for the majority of the week, with inland regions of NSW and Victoria receiving a good soaking.
Large thunderstorms have already begun to impact northest Victoria and souther NSW. Photo: WeatherZone
The conditions will create an ‘ideal environment’ for thunderstorms and towering clouds. Photo: WeatherZone
Albury on the NSW/Vic border received 41mm of rain overnight, breaking a three-week dry spell, while Braidwood, east of Canberra, had its heaviest daily rainfall in a year with 31.6mm.
Sky News meteorologist Alison Osbourne warned that over 100mm could fall in areas north of Newcastle and bushfire zones in Queensland could also receive a shower.
‘Particularly through fire affected areas it’s good news as well, with widespread falls likely to exceed 25 to 30 millimetres,’ she said.
Luckily, the majority of the rain will clear across areas south of Newcastle by Saturday, with temperatures to climb to 30C degrees in Sydney over the weekend.
Melbourne will have a much hotter Friday with 31C degrees before cooling off to 18C on Sunday.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
