Tasmania weather: Thunderstorms and flash flooding lashes parts of the state

First responders have been busy with requests for assistance with dangerous weather expected to reach more of the state in the coming hours of Wednesday afternoon.

Friends Lisa Boswell and Annabelle Mollineaux enjoy a dip at Bellerive Beach. Picture: Chris Kidd

Updated January 17, 1.23pm: Tasmania SES has been busy helping people as dangerous thunderstorms and heavy rainfall lashes the state.

SES executive director Mick Lowe said the SES had already received 14 requests for assistance, 13 in the North-Weste and one in the North.

“There is a significant weather system forecast today, and we are advising everyone to be prepared and keep informed of the conditions,” Mr Lowe said.

“The weather system, including possibly very dangerous thunderstorm activity, has started crossing the state this morning and is expected to extend to the north coast and south of the state in the coming hours.”

He said the dangerous thunderstorms was moving east with the townships of Deloraine and George Town at greatest risk.

“The system is likely to produce heavy rain and possible flash flooding in localised areas,” he said.

Poor weather is expected to extend through to Thursday with damaging westerly winds forecast in the areas of Bass Strait islands and exposed areas of the northern coastline.

“Tasmania SES is preparing for the weather, and we encourage the community to do the same,” Mr Lowe said.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

• Supervise children closely.
• Check that family and neighbours are aware of warnings.
• Manage pets and livestock.
• Secure outdoor items including furniture and play equipment.
• Be prepared in case of power outages and report any outages to TasNetworks on 132 004.
• Beware of damaged trees and power lines and take care when driving.
• Check www.ses.tas.gov.au for further advice.

“Remember, if you’re in an area that becomes affected by heavy rains, advice from Tasmania Police is to be safe on the roads, slow down, put your headlights on, and never drive through a flooded road.”

Earlier, 10.20am: The severe thunderstorm warning has updated to include heavy locally intense rainfall.

Authorities warn very dangerous thunderstorms with heavy, locally intense rainfall is moving across northern-central Tasmania.

This could lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the North-West Coast, Central North, Central Plateau and Midlands districts. Locations which may be affected include Deloraine and George Town.

A severe weather warning is still current for large parts of Tasmania.

Earlier 8am: Severe weather already battering parts of the state could lead to flash flooding over the next several hours of Wednesday morning.

The predicted lashing has caused Tasmania Police to warn drivers to consider the heavy rain and forecast thunderstorms before heading out on the roads.

They’ve asked motorists to drive to the conditions.

The West, North-West Coast, Central North and parts of the Upper Derwent Valley, South East, North-East and Central Plateau are all forecast to bare the brunt of the severe weather.

The thunderstorms are predicted ahead of a cold front affecting western and northern parts of the state.

The storms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area.

TasAlert have warned the areas affected could include Devonport, Burnie, Smithton, Launceston, Strahan and Queenstown.

The State Emergency Service has advised people of the following:

• Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
• Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
• Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
• For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

Sunshine, humidity and thunderstorms to lash Tasmania

January 16

Tasmania’s wild weather is turning tropical with sunshine, humidity, thunderstorms and potential flash flooding expected to lash the state this week.

The Bureau of Meteorology have forecasted temperatures in the mid to high 20s on Tuesday, with some areas expected to reach over 30C.

“On Wednesday, a cold front with a band of rain will likely cross Tasmania during daytime, bringing decent rain in the order of 10 to 20mm in most areas,” senior meteorologist Luke Johnston said.

“There will likely be some thunderstorms as well during the day as the rain band crosses the state which will provide some extra rainfall.”

Mr Johnston said there is a risk of flash flooding in the North from the thunderstorms heavy rainfalls.

Thunderstorm

“With the thunderstorms crossing on Wednesday afternoon, it’s a very moist tropical infeed of air and the thunderstorms will be able to tap into tropical moisture and potentially bring heavy bursts of rain in the order of 30 to 40mm in an hour if you’re in the wrong spot.

“It’s always tricky to pick how much rain you get under a particular storm because it depends on so many factors. It’s also likely to be fairly hit and miss as well.

“We’ll see some showers on Thursday and even though it’ll be behind a cold front, we’re still likely to see average to slightly above average temperatures.”

Bellerive Beach. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Rain or sunshine, friends Lisa Boswell and Annabelle Mollineaux plan to make the most of the weather.

“The pool we normally swim at is shut from maintenance so we’ve been coming to the beach,” Ms Boswell said.

“It’s so lovely and really refreshing to swim in cooler waters. I look forward to coming back over the next few weeks.”

On Tuesday, Ms Mollineaux will be kayaking in the balmy 27C sunshine before the rain sets in. Ms Mollineaux is planning another swim and said “swimming in the rain would be lovely”.

Thunderstorms and a very wet day in Hobart, traffic in Liverpool Street as the rain comes down

One of the estimated 8000 lightning strikes that battered Tasmania December 2023 Picture: Salem Meness.

Forecast

Hobart

On Tuesday, Hobart will be a sunny 29C, before showers and a top of 24C sets in on Wednesday. Showers will continue on for the rest of the week with a top of 23C.

Launceston

Launceston will have a partly cloudy 27C on Tuesday, before showers and a top of 26C sets in on Wednesday. Showers will continue with a top of 23C on Thursday. It will clear to a partly cloudy 27C on Friday.

Strahan

It will be mostly sunny and a top of 27C in the states West on Tuesday, with rain setting in with a top of 23C on Wednesday. There will be showers and a top of 22C for the rest of the week.

Swansea

In the states East, Swansea will have a mostly sunny 27C, with showers expected to set in on Wednesday with a top of 24C. Rain will continue for the rest of the week with a top of 23C.