Millions of Aussies facing Anzac Day long weekend washout, forecasts predict

Long weekend plans could be under threat across swathes of the country as millions brace for heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Australians wanting to make the most of the back-to-back long weekends could have their plans thrown into disarray by wet and miserable weather.

Forecasts suggest the Sunshine State is unlikely to live up to its name, with heavy rains and thunderstorms on to potentially impact Anzac Day Dawn Services on Friday morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Dean Narramore said the wet weather would be likely through Queensland’s southeast.

“It’s going to be dry for northern, western, and inland parts of Queensland, but we’re likley to see showers, rain areas, and maybe some isolated thunderstorms through southeastern parts (of the state),” he said.

A cool change is expected to sweep from northern NSW to eastern Victoria as a low-pressure system moves in, bringing cloudy skies and a high chance of rain.

While most NSW residents looking to attend Anzac Day services are tipped to get a brief reprieve from the wet weather, those on the coast and some inland areas can expect showers and thunderstorms.

Rainfall totals near 70mm are predicted to hit Sydney by Sunday, with temperatures to hover in the mid- to low-20s.

The east coast, from the northern end of New South Wales to Eastern Victoria, is in for a cool change this week as a low pressure system moves over the country bringing cloudy skies and high chances of rain. Picture: Sky News

Victorians can also expect rain from early Friday into the night, with those heading to Dawn Services being advised to pack their raincoats and umbrellas.

Warm and mostly sunny weather is expected for the next couple of days before it is set to be lashed with 25mm of rain on Friday.

Temperatures are expected to drop from 26C on Thursday into the high teens through the weekend.

The nation’s capital is in for a mixed bag, alternating between wet and miserable to sunny and warm.

Many of the country’s major cities will have a wet start to the Anzac Day long weekend. Picture: Sky News

Clear skies and a balmy 24C is forecast for Anzac Day in Canberra before cloudy skies, light winds and showers are expected over the weekend.

Summer is not yet over for Brisbane as temperatures remain in the high 20s and the sun continues to shine.

Wet weather, bringing with it up to 30mm of rain, is likely to settle in from Thursday and continue until Sunday.

Adelaide’s week ahead is mostly dry, escaping the cool front as it heads east.

Forecasts show very little chance of rain, with pleasant temperatures in the mid to low 20s, except for Friday which is expected to bring light showers

Sydneysiders looking to attend Anzac Day services and commemorative events are in for a brief reprieve, with the bulk of the wet weather system targeting western Victoria on Friday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steven Saphore

On the country’s west coast, the remains of Cyclone Errol after it made landfall last Saturday.

Wednesday’s storms are set to dissipate in the coming days, with a possibility of showers on Thursday.

Meanwhile, partly cloudy days in the low 20s are expected for a dry end to the long weekend.

A classic start to Autumn in Darwin sees tops of 33C across the end of the working week and possible showers from Friday.

The city is likely to see totals of 40mm from Friday to Monday.

Hobart is expected to have a wet long weekend with steady showers to kick in on Friday and hang around well into the following week.

Forecasted temperatures point to a cool week in the high teens to low 20s, dropping to a low of 13C on Monday.

Originally published as Millions of Aussies facing Anzac Day long weekend washout, forecasts predict