Millions in NSW, Queensland prepare for weekend soaking

Two low-pressure systems are rapidly building offshore, with some areas warned to prepare for up to 150mm of rain.

Parts of Australia are set for a weekend soaking, with forecasts predicting parts of NSW could receive up to 150mm of rain between Friday night and Sunday.

Areas around the mid north coast will be among the worst affected, with up to 85mm forecast for Coffs Harbour over the weekend and many towns expecting up to 50mm on Saturday alone.

The wet and windy weather is the result of a low-pressure system gaining steam off the east coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Angus Hines said the persistent rain that had set in this week was here to stay for large stretches of the country’s east.

“The rain which we’ve seen over the past few days for eastern Australia will be greatly amplified heading into the weekend as a low-pressure area develops off the east of the country,” Mr Hines said.

Millions of Australians are in the firing line of the expected wild weather. Picture: farmonlineweather

“Even though this low pressure will be over the water to the east of Australia, it will have a significant impact on the weather for NSW.

“As this low develops and deepens early on Saturday morning, rain will become heavier, wind will become stronger and seas will become more powerful.

“The weather effects will be most acute across NSW, but parts of southern Queensland could also feel the brunt.”

The system is expected to move fairly quickly as it develops on Saturday, before eventually peeling away from the mainland and dissipating over the Pacific Ocean by Monday morning.

Mr Hines said Saturday would be when the system would “really make its presence felt”.

Gloomy weather in Sydney is expected to hold on for another couple of days. Picture: NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

“The wind, the rain, the surf will all intensify on Saturday, and it’s likely that we’ll see severe weather warnings get issued potentially for all three of these things,” he said.

“The weather will really hone in on NSW - this is the state that will receive the heaviest rainfall from this event.

“The strongest winds as well as the most snow is also expected in NSW.”

Mr Hines flagged the Hunter and Mid-North Coast districts as the areas expected to receive the bulk of rain, drawing attention to hazardous surf conditions and damaging winds.

Queensland is expected to be battered by wind gusts as the low-pressure system moves inland, and mountain tops in NSW are likely to receive a fresh sprinkle of snow.

“Through the afternoon and evening on Sunday, rain will ease off as this low-pressure area moves away from Australia, and Monday will bring a much brighter day,” Mr Hines said.

“A few showers remain possible, but it’s much warmer after the wintry weekend.”

Perth is expecting a fresh band of rain and cold conditions as a cold front brushes over the south-western corner of the country. Picture: Zoom Earth

A separate wet weather system is bearing down on Perth and much of southern Western Australia, which is expected to bring plenty of rain and plunging temperatures on Saturday.

Mr Hines said the front would bring “the usual mix of winter goodies” seen in cold fronts.

“There’ll be a band of rain and a change of wind direction which brings colder temperatures,” he said.

“There will be a chance of a few thunderstorms as that moves through and there should be some pretty large waves for anyone near those western beaches.

“Following that weather system, there should be a continuation of intermittent showery wet weather for the remainder of the weekend across Perth and the southern half of WA.”

Conditions are expected to be “pretty settled” for central areas of the country.

Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and inland parts of Queensland, NSW and WA will all remain predominantly dry, with chilly mornings and a generally cool day on Saturday.

Most areas will get a slightly warmer day on Sunday and see a rise in temperature as the week begins on Monday.

Originally published as Millions in NSW, Queensland prepare for weekend soaking