Country to be battered by rain, storms as temperatures plummet

Temperatures are set to plummet across much of the country amid warnings of wild weather, with one state even told it could see unexpected snowfall.

Australia is set to be battered with rain as temperatures plummet, with one state warned it could see unexpected snowfall.

Temperatures could drop by up to 20C across the country’s southeast over the coming days.

Parts of eastern NSW have been warned to expect heavy rain and strong winds later this week as upper-level cut-off low pressure system moves over the state from Thursday.

This could cause a low pressure system or trough to develop near the NSW coast, which could lead to three days of increased rain, swell and potentially damaging winds, according to Weatherzone.

The heaviest rain and strongest winds are expected to impact the Mid North Coast and possibly parts of the Hunter or Northern Rivers regions, with the potential for flash flooding with some areas predicted to see localised rainfall totals of more than 200mm.

Some parts of NSW could see unexpected snowfall over the coming days. Picture: Weatherzone

Parts of southern and central NSW could also be hit with unexpected snow, with claims the conditions could result in a ‘melting effect’ phenomenon, that would see snow reach low levels.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathan How said rain would become “more extensive” through the country’s southeast on Wednesday, with “very cold southerly winds”.

There’s a chance of hail across Victoria as the temperature drops to 15C on Wednesday, with minimum temperatures through the week to drop as low as 6C.

“In Victoria, rain for southern districts pushing east through the day, and it will be very cold. Behind that, the possibility of small hail about the southwest of the state,” Mr How said.

“And those showers are pushed into northern districts later in the day, and with that cold air coming through at night, the snow level will fall to about 1200m.”

The country is set to be lashed by rain. Picture: Windy.com

Showers are set to hit the northwest of Tasmania before heading into the southwest later on Wednesday, with the snow level dropping to 300m in the state’s south and 400-600m elsewhere.

Hobart is tipped to reach 14C on Wednesday, with minimum temperatures dropping to 4C throughout the week.

South Australia may experience storms as showers are likely to develop late Wednesday, with a top of 18C, while minimum temperatures will dip as low as 6C this week.

“But it will be quite muggy across the north, with warm temperatures and also the possibility of storms,” Mr How said.

Sydney is expected to reach a high of 30C on Wednesday despite the chance of showers.

“In NSW, a warm to hot day across the coast, temperatures up to 10 degrees above the September average. But out west, rain and storms push towards the coast at night, and it will be quite a bit cooler under that cloud cover,” Mr How said.

Rain and storms are expected across NSW on Wednesday night. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

High fire danger warnings have been issued across the Greater Sydney Region and Illawarra/Shoalhaven.

However, Thursday looks to be “the wettest day of the outlook, particularly across eastern parts of NSW”.

Showers are set to clear across eastern parts of Western Australia on Wednesday with a high of 24C, while the Northern Territory is set to experience “extensive” showers.

“Across northern Australia, showers, initially for the Gregory and Barclay districts; those showers become more extensive through the day pushing into western parts of the Top End,” Mr How said.

“Thirty-four degrees in Darwin, remaining quite warm across the Kimberley.”

Sky News Weather presenter Lucy Polkinghorne earlier said 80 per cent of the country would likely be hit by wet conditions this week.

“This rainband will continue moving eastwards into the week, increasing cloud cover over the eastern half of the country by Tuesday, then bringing much cooler and showery conditions,” Ms Polkinghorne said.

“In fact, 80 per cent of the country will likely see some wet weather from this event.”