100mm of rain set to smash Queenslanders this election day

Meteorologists are warning millions of Australians planning to vote this afternoon to bring a brolly, with parts of the east coast set to get soaked.

The east coast of Australia is set to cop an election day soaking as voters make their way to the polling booths on Saturday.

Ironically known as the “Sunshine State”, citizens casting their vote in Queensland will bear the brunt of the wild weather this weekend, with Brisbane expected to be lashed with 25 to 40 millimetres of rainfall on Saturday and 6 to 15 millimetres on Sunday.

Voters bracing the wet weather at Wilston State School in Brisbane on their way to the polling booth. Picture: Josh Woning

Many fear that another two days of rain for Queensland will trigger more floods in the state’s southeast, with residents having experienced four floods since November.

However, Sky Weather meteorologist Alison Osborne said on Weather to Watch on Friday that it was likely that any rainfall will hit less saturated coastal areas.

“Despite (rain) falling over sodden river catchments … only minor and maybe a few localised areas of moderate flooding are a risk, from Mackay right the way down to the upper Brisbane river,” Ms Osborne said.

Residents in Queensland have experienced four floods since November 2021. Picture: Richard Walker

The metrologist had a rather grim forecast for New South Wales, with predictions that the state would likely be battered with rain up until Wednesday next week.

Sydneysiders can expect to experience between eight to 20 millimetres of rainfall on their way to polling booths on Saturday and 15 to 25 millimetres on Sunday.

Adelaide and Melbourne can expect fine and mostly sunny weather, with Canberra and Hobart expected to have some clouds in the sky.

Perth residents will have a nice, sunny 25 degree day to enjoy before Western Australia has a very stormy week from Sunday.

Voters leave the polling place at the Falcon Primary School in the southern suburb of Falcon during the final day of Western Australia's state election. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tony McDonough

According to The Bureau of Meteorology‘s Brooke Pagel, possible flash flooding and heavy rain in Rockhampton and Caboolture could see some Queenslanders not cast their votes at all.

“People have been concerned about the weather, and Covid-19 is still an issue as well,” Ms Pagel noted.

“However, we know that people can now vote over the phone if they have the virus, and there will also be some breaks in the weather which should afford voters the time to get to a polling station.”

Ms Pagel said that people should check the Bureau of Meteorology radar as well as traffic updates prior to leaving their homes due to the weather conditions.

Originally published as 100mm of rain set to smash Queenslanders this election day