NSW weather: Storms to hit Sydney, Illawarra on Friday afternoon

Parts of the Illawarra and southwest Sydney are bracing for a severe thunderstorm as the rain sets in for another wet weekend.

Residents of Sydney’s southwest and the Illawarra are in for another round of wet weather, with a severe thunderstorm warning issued this afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology told locals to expect heavy rainfall and that flash flooding was “likely”.

“Severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Bundeena, Kurnell, the Royal National Park and Stanwell Park,” the BOM wrote.

“These thunderstorms are slow moving. Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is likely.

A Detailed #SevereThunderstormWarning is current for #Sydney and #GreaterWollongong. These #thunderstorms are slow moving, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is likely within these thunderstorms.
Warning: https://t.co/YirEXV8NvB
Radar: https://t.co/pvcBLjNTQUpic.twitter.com/MqiRq27fYk

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) March 25, 2022

So far in Sydney, the highest falls since 9am have been 31.7mm at Lucas Heights, 19.6mm in Camden and 8.2mm in Holsworthy.

BOM Forecaster Stephen Stefanac said that further storms would likely develop across the metro area later today and the torrential rain earlier this month would lead to a higher risk of flash flooding.

“There is the potential for further storms to develop over Sydney and surrounding regions, we have to be on alert,” Mr Stefanac said.

“The catchments are saturated and rainfall which would normally seep into the soil can’t, so there is an increased risk of flash flooding as that water goes into stormwater drains, creeks and rivers.”

Mr Stefanac said the wet conditions would hang out the city and in the state’s northeast until at least Monday.

“We are expecting further showers and storms on Saturday, showers on Sunday as well as unsettled conditions across these parts of NSW into the new week,” he said.

A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for parts of the North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, Upper Western and Northern Tablelands districts.

There's the chance of 25mm - 50mm of rainfall today in parts of the #NorthWestSlopesandPlains, #NorthernTablelands, #MidNorthCoast and #Illawarra today. Chance of severe thunderstorms in the northeast, check forecasts and monitor warnings: https://t.co/SPHgGeisGZpic.twitter.com/ACEjTu4VhA

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) March 24, 2022

Parts of regional NSW are on alert for flash flooding already, with flood watches current for the Bellinger, Nambuca and Severn Rivers, a minor to major flood warning for the Culgoa, Birrie, Bokhara and Narran Rivers as well as a minor flood warning for Wollombi Brook.

On Thursday, Sky News Weather broadcast meteorologist Alison Osbourne said torrential rainfall in NSW earlier this month meant it was easier for flash flooding to occur in some areas.

“We’ve had quite a wet March already, stormwater drains are quite full and the landscape isn’t able to hold much water,” Ms Osbourne said.

“The water has nowhere else to go, so that’‘s why the flash flooding risk is much higher than usual.”

Parts of NSW are at higher risk than usual of flash flooding amid another wave of rain thanks to torrential downpours in recent weeks. Picture: Getty

By 9am on Thursday, the highest falls in NSW were 93mm at Spicketts Creek, 75mm in Port Macquarie and 70mm at Mooral Creek.

The state’s northeast is also at risk, Ms Osbourne said, with the risk of severe thunderstorms and up to 60-100mm expected.

“This is mostly expected on the ranges but with it comes the risk of heavy rain and flash flooding for parts of the Northern Rivers,” she said.

There's the chance of 25mm - 50mm of rain in some parts of #NSW today including #MidNorthCoast, #NorthernRivers and the #Hunter. Severe thunderstorms are possible in the northeast and #CentralRanges today. Important to monitor warnings and check forecasts: https://t.co/UBqkwvPDAzpic.twitter.com/P3RB7cymVS

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) March 23, 2022

It comes as an average of 20 to 50mm of rain is expected to fall across NSW on Thursday.

Ms Osbourne projected Sydney‘s northern, coastal and western suburbs could see rain totals between 40 to 60mm if thunderstorms develop later.

“Right now there are no severe thunderstorm warnings but that could definitely change,” she said.