Flood, surf warnings issued for NSW as heavy rain, winds strike

Residents in one state are being warned downpours could unleash rainfall totals near 300mm in the coming days.

NSW is in the grips of wild weather and is expected to be so for days yet, with residents along the state’s coast being warned of flood risks and dangerous surf.

Rain has set in across Sydney and eastern parts of NSW, with temperatures dropping to 17C to 19C in coastal cities including Wollongong and Newcastle along with the state’s capital.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Angus Hines said the prolonged spell of rainfall would last for the next several days, alongside damaging winds and hazardous coastal conditions.

From Monday, the heavy rain is expected to shift north to Newcastle and Port Macquarie.

“It will be very, very wet for several days,” Mr Hines said.

By Wednesday, rainfall totals are expected to exceed 150mm, possibly reaching up to 250mm or 300mm.

Sydney also won’t escape the wet weather, with rain forecast well into the week.

Other areas of the state were predicted to be lashed with between 50mm to 99mm of rain in just one day.

Heavy rain blankets the NSW coast as a low-pressure system moves through. Image: Weatherzone

Minor to moderate flood warnings have been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology for parts of the Hunter and Mid North Coast.

“A coastal trough is expected to deepen and stall about the Mid North Coast and Hunter districts through Monday,” the warning reads.

“This trough expected to bring multiple days of widespread moderate to heavy rainfall about central parts of the NSW coast and may cause minor to moderate flooding from Monday.

“Isolated major flooding is possible, but the location will be dependent on where the heaviest rainfall occurs.”

The warning, issued just after 12.30pm on Sunday, cautioned there was still some uncertainty about the location and timing of the heaviest falls.

The Bureau has also issued gale warnings for the Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans, and Eden Coasts, with strong wind warnings also in place for Sydney’s enclosed waters, Byron Coast, Coffs Coast, and Macquarie Coast.

Along with the rain, hazardous surf conditions have been forecast for many parts of the NSW coastline for Sunday and Monday.

Heavy rain and strong winds hit the NSW coast. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

Marine authorities are urging caution for those involved in coastal activities, warning people to avoid rock fishing, boating near exposed ocean bars, and swimming in hazardous surf zones.

Wearing life jackets and logging trips with local marine rescue services is strongly advised.

Inland, the Snowy Mountains and the ACT face chilly, showery conditions on Sunday, with southerly winds and cold temperatures raising concerns for sheep graziers.

The Bureau has warned there is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

Bands of rain continue sweeping across NSW amid hazardous surf warnings. Image: Windy.com

Beyond NSW, much of Australia is experiencing a milder and drier outlook in the coming days.

Queensland is tipped to be mostly dry, with Brisbane seeing partly cloudy skies on Sunday and only the chance of isolated showers from Monday onwards.

In the Sunshine State's north, those in Townsville and Cairns are expected to enjoy sunny, warm days with highs near 30C.

Victoria and Tasmania are cooler but largely dry, with partly cloudy skies and maximums between 13C and 16C.

Those in Melbourne and Hobart can expect some sunshine, though a few showers or light rain are possible later in the week.

Total forecast rainfall from Sunday to Wednesday. Image: Bureau of Meteorology

Conditions in South Australia are likely to be mostly sunny skies, with temperatures to top near 16C to 19C with a slight chance of showers midweek.

Western Australia and the Northern Territory remain sunny and warm, with Perth enjoying sunny conditions near 25C and temperatures in Darwin climbing to 31C.

Originally published as Flood, surf warnings issued for NSW as heavy rain, winds strike