This morning Bureau of Meteorology, meteorologist, Helen Reid, said there was significant rainfall across New South Wales and South East Queensland over night.
Ms Reid said rain persisted across northern and eastern New South Wales, including the length of the East Coast and across the North West slopes in Queensland, with rain areas and isolated thunderstorms impacting the south east.
‘Darling Downs and parts of the surrounding districts, widespread falls of 30 to 40 millimeters were seen in these areas, with higher falls of 60 to 70 millimeters across the coast.
‘In the 21 hours to 6am on Thursday morning, some of the highest falls across New South Wales include Port Macquarie with 115 millimeters, Maria river with 113 millimeters, and Lake Cathie with 111 millimeters.
Showers, rain areas and isolated thunderstorms
Ms Reid that today, showers and rain areas, and isolated thunderstorms would continue along the east coast of New South Wales, as well as the northern and central table lands at western slopes, the wet weather will also continue across South East Queensland, as well as the Darling Downs.
‘Through Thursday afternoon, we’ll start to see a gradual easing in the rain across inland areas. As wet weather gradually contracts to coastal districts, rainfall totals for Thursday are likely to be widespread, 40 to 80 millimeters along the east coast, between the Gold Coast and in Queensland and the Illawarra in New South Wales, likely closer to perhaps 20 to 50 millimeters across the ranges and western slopes.’
Ms Reid said higher falls are possible, particularly about the East Coast. ‘More isolated showers will reach as far south as the New South Wales, Victorian border, and as far north as Rockhampton.
The forecast for the rest of the week
Ms Reid sais Friday will start off as a wet day along the coast, but we’re likely to see the rain easing to patchy showers through the afternoon. ‘Most areas west of the Rangers are likely to see a dry day. This is thanks to the coastal low pressure trough moving away from the East Coast, drawing moisture and rain offshore.
‘Rainfall totals on Friday will still be moderate, particularly around the Gold Coast and the northern New South Wales coastline, but lower than what is expected for Thursday. Isolated to scattered showers will continue in coastal areas through Saturday on the easing trend into Sunday. While the weekend will be showery for those coastal parts, the rainfall totals will ease right back. However, we are likely to see the impacts of any flooding that develops, continuing into next week.’
Ms Reid said that the latest flood watches and warnings include rivers across north east New South Wales, which have responded quickly to the rainfall seen overnight. ‘A flood watch for minor to moderate flooding remains current for much of North East New South Wales, including the North West slopes, mid north coast and into the Hunter.
‘There’s also major flood watch for the Gwydir River – there is already a major flood warning for the Namoi River and moderate flood warning for the Peel River, and also minor flood warnings are current for the Nepean and Darwin rivers.’
For more information about the weather, visit the Bom website, download the BoM weather app and visit the BoM our social media pages.
As always, listen to all advice from emergency services.
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