‘Dangerous’ rain band to drench Australia’s long weekend as wet weather hits eastern states

A low-pressure system is affecting most Aussies, but there is a chance of at least one sunny day this long weekend.

Wet and wild weather is expected to rain on the parade of most Australians’ long weekends, with a ‘dangerous’ band of rain currently moving through the eastern states to cause showers until Saturday.

The eastern states can expect a wet end to the week, with promising signs that showers will ease by Sunday.

NEW SOUTH WALES:

NSW has borne the brunt of the wild weather so far, with widespread showers bringing up to 70mm of rainfall to the state before 9am on Thursday, and another 30-50mm falling throughout the day.

The NSW North Coast is particularly affected by the wild weather.

A low-pressure trough is behind the “dangerous” deluge, with several flood and severe weather warnings issued for the Northern Rivers and parts of the mid-North Coast, including Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay.

Meldrum near Coffs Harbour has experienced the highest level of rain, with 130mm falling in the town, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Heavy rain falling on already saturated ground has caused floodwaters, threatening communities from the NSW-Queensland border to Wagga Wagga.

Motorists have been warned not to drive through floodwaters.

The heavy rain is expected to ease on Friday in NSW, with a few showers to stick around on Saturday.

Dozens of flights were cancelled due to the weather, with thousands of Sydneysiders trying to leave the city on the National Day of Mourning public holiday impacted.

Sydney Airport blamed bad weather and strong winds for the disruption, with 45 departing flights and 41 arrivals cancelled.

The wet weather is expected to continue to dampen the mood in Sydney in the coming days, with a 100 per cent chance of showers on Friday, and 70 per cent on Saturday.

Swans supporters will have sunny weather on Sunday to either celebrate or nurse their wounds after the AFL Grand Final, with an expected high of 20C.

Flood warnings have been issued for much of the state's north.

VICTORIA

Victorians are facing the prospect of a wet AFL Grand Final long weekend, with showers to affect the state on Friday and possibly continue into Saturday.

Melburnians should expect “wet, showery days”, but will not receive the deluge that‘s currently affecting NSW.

There is a “very high chance of showers” on Friday according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with 1-3mm of rainfall expected and a max temp of 18C on Friday.

Victorians have been warned of a wet start to the AFL grand final weekend. Picture: David Crosling

With a 40 per cent chance of rain during the Grand Final, it might be a good idea for Melburnians to pack a raincoat, though BOM expects that no more than one millimetre will fill the rain gauges.

Sunday‘s weather is expected to be much fairer, with a high of 19C and only a 20 per cent chance of rain.

QUEENSLAND

Stormy weather has plagued parts of Queensland as the same trough that‘s affecting NSW rains down on the state’s southeast.

However, things are expected to turn around this weekend as the rain heads south.

Brisbane residents will be able to enjoy warm and sunny weather with expected highs of 27C on Saturday and Sunday.

Queenslanders have also been hit by the trough currently bearing down on NSW. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

South Australia is set for a fine few days, having already experienced the wet weather affecting the eastern states.

Adelaide residents will have to put up with a little cloud but no showers on Friday and Saturday with temperatures of up to 18C.

That‘s before the next weather system set in on Sunday when more showers will see up to 8mm of rainfall on Sunday and Monday.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WA residents have managed to escape the wet weather and have settled in for a fine Thursday and Friday, with highs of 20C.

Those in Perth will have to put up with a “very high” chance of up to 10mm of rain on Saturday, but showers are expected to clear by Sunday.