‘Big system’: Aussies in several states warned as wind, rain, flood risk looms

Aussies in several states have been warned to brace for a weekend of wild weather, with the risk of floods and damaging winds.

Aussies in several states are being warned to prepare as a “big weather system” brings wind, rain, and thick clouds to huge stretches of the country this weekend.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned there is the possibility of flooding and hazardous winds in some areas.

The system has been steadily moving East across the continent and will peel off into the Pacific by Sunday. Picture: Sky News Weather

BoM senior meteorologist Angus Hines said “good rainfall” had hit parts of the country that were going through prolonged dry spells, bringing much-needed relief to those areas.

“In general, the rainfall has been more welcome than worrying because it has been falling over parts of the country which have been very dry (and were) facing severe rainfall deficits, not just this year but through the majority of last year as well,” he said.

“For some parts, particularly South Australia and western Victoria, this has been some of the most notable rainfall of this year or potentially even the last 18 months.”

The rain has been welcomed by regional areas which have been starved of precipitation for more than a year. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

The rain system is expected to move through central parts of Queensland and eastern NSW before doubling back to Tasmania.

Mr Hines said the remainder of Saturday would bring wet weather across the coast, with Queensland and Tasmania likely to cop the most significant falls.

Residents in Tasmania’s northeast could be facing harsher conditions, with more concentrated rainfall bringing the risk of minor to moderate riverine flooding.

“There are some flood warnings and flood watches across northern and eastern Tasmania where that rainfall might just see a little bit of enhancement,” Mr Hines said.

“Away from just the rain, which is continuing across the east coast of the country today, there’s still a few areas anticipating some pretty blustery wind conditions.”

Parts of Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia are likely to experience wet and windy conditions, with some areas possibly vulnerable to flooding: Sky News Weather

Strong and damaging wind warnings have been issued for parts of the Flinders Ranges in SA, the Northeastern Ranges in Victoria, some areas of the Snowy Mountains and much of Tasmania’s east coast.

“All of those places will get a pretty blustery day, even outside of those warning areas” Mr Hines said.

The rain band is expected to clear on Saturday night and move out across the Pacific Ocean.

More wintry weather is expected, with temperatures likely to remain below average.

The east coast will continue to experience wild and wet conditions for the next couple of days. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Sydney is expected to reach a top of 19C on Saturday, with showers to ease. Woollongong will hit 18C and Newcastle 19C with steady rain.

Rainfall is likely to ease in Canberra, where a maximum of 13C is expected.

Melbourne is forecast to receive an isolated shower or two with a top of 14C.

Adelaide’s forecast features showers and a high of 14C, with Hobart in for a rainy day with a top of 13C.

Those in Brisbane can expect a maximum of 23C with rain into the afternoon and evening.

Perth is tipped to be sunny with a top of 16C, while Darwin will hit 31C.

Originally published as ‘Big system’: Aussies in several states warned as wind, rain, flood risk looms