Tasmania weather forecast to bring heavy rain, strong wind to parts of state

Heavy rainfall, galeforce wind and localised flooding is possible for parts of Tasmania as a low pressure system moves across the state. FULL FRIDAY + WEEKEND FORECAST FOR YOUR TOWN >>

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Heavy rain, strong winds and localised flooding is set to lash Tasmania on Friday, with gusts already wreaking havoc on local harbours.

Sandy Bay Rowing Club member Richard Gerathy said “a strong sea breeze” caused a boat to lose its mooring at Short Beach on Thursday afternoon.

“We’re down here loading boats for the regatta this weekend and we’ve seen the boat come undone and start floating in,” Mr Gerathy said.

“Luckily it’s a really low tide so it’s stayed upright and it’s gently hit a sandbank. Hopefully the ports authority and marine safety get here to tie it down shortly.”

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Tristan Oakley said heavy rainfall was possible for much of Tasmania’s north and north west — with 60-80mm of rain forecast for Burnie.

A strong seabreeze has caused a boat to lose its mooring at Short Beach, Sandy Bay. Photo: Richard Gerathy

“Mainly in elevated areas, at this stage we’ll see 40 to 60mm across the north-east, 25 to 30mm in the central north and north west areas and everywhere else in the rest of state around 5-15mm,” Mr Oakley said.

“(The rain) will start Friday afternoon right through until Saturday morning, with rain easing during Saturday afternoon and tend to showers after.”

The meteorologist said strong wind gusts of 70-80km were forecast for the upper west coast and north-west.

“The rain is due to a developing low pressure system to our north west,” Mr Oakley said.

“The air mass has come all the way from the tropics; it’s quite the high in moisture so that’s why we’re seeing some possible heavy rainfall from this trough associated with the low moving across the state.”

He said while flood warnings had not yet been issued, hydrologists will keep an eye on possible river flooding throughout Friday.

“With localised heavy rainfall there is a slight chance of flash flooding,” Mr Oakley said.

Late Thursday, the Bureau issued a road weather alert saying: “slippery roads and reduced visibility in heavy rain will make driving conditions dangerous during Friday afternoon and evening in parts of the North West Coast, Central North and North East forecast districts”.

Friday forecast

• Hobart: 5—15mm rain, 13—21 degrees. Cloudy. Very high (90%) chance of rain, most likely in the late afternoon and evening. Winds northeasterly 25 to 40 km/h.
• Launceston: 10—25mm rain, 12—21 degrees. Cloudy. Very high (90%) chance of rain, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then tending easterly 15 to 20 km/h in the evening.
• Burnie: 35—80mm rain, 14—19C. Cloudy. Very high (95%) chance of rain, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Heavy falls possible. Winds easterly 40 to 50 km/h tending northeasterly 30 to 35 km/h in the late evening.
• Smithton: 30—60mm rain, 13—19C. Cloudy. Very high (95%) chance of rain. Heavy falls possible. Winds easterly 40 to 50 km/h tending northeasterly 35 to 45 km/h in the evening.
• Queenstown: 5—15mm rain, 10—22C. Cloudy. Very high (90%) chance of rain, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming northeasterly 20 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day.
• Bridport: 20—35mm rain, 13—21C. Cloudy. Very high (95%) chance of rain, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Heavy falls possible. Winds easterly 20 to 30 km/h turning northeasterly 25 to 35 km/h in the late morning.
• Bicheno: 5—15mm rain, 15—19C. Cloudy. High (80%) chance of rain, most likely in the late afternoon and evening. Winds northeasterly 25 to 40 km/h.
• Cradle Valley: 15—25mm rain, 7—14C. Cloudy. Very high (90%) chance of rain, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Winds northeasterly 25 to 35 km/h.

Weekend forecast

• Hobart: Shower or two, 16—25C Saturday | Partly cloudy, 13—21C Sunday
• Launceston: Showers easing, 15—27C Saturday | Shower or two, 15—21C Sunday
• Burnie: Shower or two, 14—22C Saturday | Shower or two, 13—19C Sunday
• Smithton: Shower or two, 14—22C Saturday | Partly cloudy, 11—22C Sunday
• Queenstown: Shower or two, 15—21C Saturday | Partly cloudy, 11—21C Sunday
• Bridport: Showers easing, 15—24C Saturday | Shower or two, 14—22 Sunday
• Bicheno: Showers easing, 17—25C Saturday | Cloudy, 15—19C Sunday
• Cradle Valley: Shower or two, 10—17C Saturday | Shower or two, 8—17C Sunday