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Weather extremes set to smash both sides of the country

Australians are being urged to brace for a turbulent weekend, as one side of the country battles a stifling heatwave while the other contends with heavy rains.

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Australians on either side of the country are being urged to brace for extreme weather conditions as forecasts warn of a turbulent weekend ahead.

A heatwave warning has been issued for south west Western Australia while isolated flash flooding threatens residents across inland areas of the east coast throughout the weekend.

Following a week of bushfires just north of Perth on Wednesday and Thursday, forecasts suggest continued hot conditions and strong wind gusts will continue throughout the weekend.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said there was a low to severe heatwave threat for metropolitan Perth, with temperatures hitting highs of 39 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.

Fire warning for areas north of Perth after days of blazes ripped through homes. Picture: Emergency WA.
Fire warning for areas north of Perth after days of blazes ripped through homes. Picture: Emergency WA.
Heat map for Saturday afternoon shows temperatures remaining high across WA, with particular hot conditions in the south west. Picture: Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
Heat map for Saturday afternoon shows temperatures remaining high across WA, with particular hot conditions in the south west. Picture: Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

“Very hot weekend there [Perth] with back-to-back 39 degrees,” Mr Narramore said.

He said there was some good news ahead with a predicted “cool change” expected to roll in at the start of next week.

Temperatures in the WA city are forecast to drop into the low thirties on Monday and down into the mid-twenties on Tuesday.

On the other side of the country, residents along the east coast have been warned of flash flooding events and thunderstorms throughout most of next week.

“We are looking at widespread showers and thunderstorms through Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria,” Mr Narramore said.

A broad lower pressure system will sweeping along the eastern seaboard over the weekend and winds coming off the Tasman and Coral Seas will bring moisture laden air, creating widespread showers and thunderstorms.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast for the east coast of Australia through the weekend into next week. Photo: Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast for the east coast of Australia through the weekend into next week. Photo: Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
Heavy rain and isolated flash flooding for inland Queensland, NSW and Victoria expected on Tuesday. Photo: Windy.com.
Heavy rain and isolated flash flooding for inland Queensland, NSW and Victoria expected on Tuesday. Photo: Windy.com.

Mr Narramore said inland residents should prepare for a “very active and wet week” ahead, and urged anyone travelling in high rainfall areas to track radar and forecasts.

“With these heavy falls, particularly with severe thunderstorms, we could have isolated areas of flash flooding,” he warned.

“Particularly with those heavy thunderstorms over the weekend, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday next week.”

Thunderstorms are also expected to form over parts of South Australia on Sunday.

The heaviest rain forecast will likely hit Brisbane and the Gold Coast on Tuesday before more thunderstorms escalate on Friday over NSW and Victoria.

Read related topics:Weather

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/weather-extremes-set-to-smash-both-sides-of-the-country/news-story/35d4e0eb0d8f0b11906499ba974c8953