Sarah Scully, Senior Meterologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, has this afternoon issued a statement clarifying the BOM’s latest understanding of the flood risk to NSW. The main threat is to southern and central coastal areas of the state. Friday is likely to see rain returning to the North Coast, but with little risk of riverine flooding at this stage.
‘Heavy rainfall is expected to develop about the south coast of New South Wales throughout today, extending into central parts and the adjacent ranges into tomorrow,’ said Ms Scully.
‘Flood watches are in place for minor to moderate flooding about the central and south coast of New South Wales and the adjacent land areas. Heavy and persistent showers over the coming days will increase the chance of flash flooding and landslides over already saturated catchments.’
Severe thunderstorms possible in northeast
‘The heavy and persistent rainfall is expected to be confined to the central and south coast of New South Wales,’ said Ms Scully. ‘However, the rest of the coast of New South Wales can expect showers and storms over the coming days.
‘Severe thunderstorms are possible about northeast in New South Wales on Friday and they will produce localized heavy falls. It is not expected for to produce that riverine flooding.
‘Instead it’ll be more localized flash flooding that might impact creeks or drains. Away from the coast, showers and thunderstorms are forecast to develop through inland Queensland and southern Queensland, stretching through inland New South Wales and into northern Victoria.
‘There’s the potential for severe thunderstorms, particularly on Thursday and Friday, which may produce heavy rainfall and large hail. The weather will gradually ease across the weekend.
‘For the Sydney metropolitan area we’re expecting the rainfall to increase overnight and into tomorrow. There’s the potential to receive six hourly rainfall totals of between 60 to 100 millimetres,up to 140 millimeters near the coast,’ she said.
‘Tropical Cyclone Philly near New Caledonia is expected to continue moving south eastwards over the coming days. It’s not expected to impact mainland Australia. However, it may bring some wind rain and swell to our offshore islands of Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island over the weekend,’ concluded Ms Scully.
