Forecasters have issued an ominous warning as severe weather descends on a major capital while heat and drenching rain is ramping up elsewhere.
More than five million people living in Greater Melbourne are being advised to consider remaining indoors on Friday afternoon and evening as the threat of damaging storms persists.
A severe thunderstorm warning is in place for central and southwest parts of Victoria, including Geelong and Melbourne.
“The atmosphere remains absolutely primed for further storm activity today as it feels once again very tropical and very humid over the southeast,” said Sky News Weather meteorologist Alison Osborne.
But it should be the last gasp of the storms in the south with calmer conditions for the weekend.
The next few days will hot up in Western Australia with another 40C day on the cards.
Meanwhile, the weather drama is expected to move north, with heavy and intense rain due to the monsoon in Queensland.
Storms could ‘pack a punch’ in Melbourne
For the last week, South Australia and Victoria have been absolutely battered by heavy rainfall, angry storms and an uncomfortable and sticky heatwave. And it’s not quite finished yet.
“Slow-moving storms that could pack a punch with intense and heavy rainfall and further flash flooding is a risk if you live in central Victoria, including Melbourne and Geelong,” Ms Osborne said.
“Maybe reconsider your need to be out and about during this afternoon.”
A high of 32C on Friday is forecast. As much as 35mm of rain could fall on Melbourne on Friday depending on the intensity and location of any storms. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned “heavy falls” are a real possibility with the afternoon and evening most likely for any activity.
“A cool southerly change should bring more stable conditions by the end of today across places like Melbourne and much of South Australia and Tasmania,” Ms Osborne said.
Saturday will see a much more manageable 25C in Melbourne and then 29C on Sunday creeping up to 32C for Monday. There could be a few spots of rain of Saturday but otherwise it should be dry for the next few days.
Storms cleared South Australia on Friday morning and that’s going to leave things more settled – but still hot.
A high of 27C in Adelaide on Friday will rise to 29C on Saturday and then 33C by Monday. But it should drop to the mid-twenties during next week. Lows of 17-19C are forecast for this weekend.
Tasmania could also see some storms and flooding as part of the same system passing through Victoria.
Hobart should get to 26C on a showery Friday. Temperatures will dip to 20C on a grey Saturday and then 23C on Sunday with minimums in the humid teens. Northern Tasmania could see storms on Friday.
Some storms stretching into NSW; drenching for Qld
Moving into NSW and some of those storms could creep across the border into inland areas of the state.
Wagga Wagga could hear a crack on thunder on a wet Friday and then again on Sunday while there could be falls of up to 20mm on Saturday.
Canberra could also see storms on Friday and Saturday with up to 15mm to kick off the weekend. There will be highs of around 27C heading down to 18C overnight for the capital.
Sydney should be largely untroubled by the rain and storms with a weekend of temperatures nudging 30C and dropping to 21C at dawn. There may be a spots of rain on Sunday.
It will be a similar story in Brisbane, but it should breach the 30C barrier this weekend. Possible showers for Friday, Saturday and on Sunday but they will mostly be light.
Northern Queensland is looking very wet, however, due to a monsoon trough over the region and a series of winds coming together – a meteorological event known as convergence.
“The heaviest falls are likely north of Townsville,” Ms Osborne said.
“That heavy rainfall will push further north again during the weekend where day upon day, rainfall amounts are likely to exceed the triple digits.
“This may lead to river as well as flash flooding.”
Innisfail could see storms on Friday and then up to 60mm on Saturday. Cairns will also see storms and heavy falls.
Heat ramps up in Perth
It will be hot, wet and muggy in Darwin with highs of 32C and lows of 26C this weekend. Storms most days with daily totals of 15-30mm in the gauge.
And things are hotting up once more in a dry and sunny Perth. Friday will peak at 35C then 39C for Saturday and 38C for Sunday and Monday. It looks like next week will be another where the mercury rises above 30C every day in the WA capital.
Originally published as Weekend weather: Severe storms set to clear in south but rain ramping up in north
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