Millions to be smashed by storms, warm ocean ‘blob’ could trigger first tropical cyclone
Millions of Aussies are set for a soaking this weekend and unusually warm sea temperatures could produce the first tropical cyclone of the season.
Thunderstorms and giant hail are threatening to smash millions of Aussies
Storms are continuing to ramp up across Queensland and parts of NSW, which are in the firing line for lashings of rain, dangerous winds and large hail over the next 72 hours.
The wet weather is set to blanket much of South East Queensland and northeastern NSW, with the bureau warning the worst affected areas would span parts of Maranoa and Warrego.
“This means that Brisbane and the southeast coast of Queensland could get the thundery and wet weather today, but storms in this area are less likely to be severe,” Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said.
Wet and wild conditions are forecast to stretch through parts of NSW, spanning the Blue Mountains to the west of Sydney, as well as broader parts of the Hunter Region.
However, the bureau expects the soggy conditions to skip Sydney altogether.
Storms will continue for much of the weekend, with widespread showers, damaging winds and large hail building from the Northern Territory to Queensland and down the east coast.
“On Saturday, the severe thunderstorms may impact areas including Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, the Darling Downs and NSW’s Northern Rivers,” Ms Bradbury said.
The soggy weather will also smash Australia’s south coast, with non-severe thunderstorms forming through Adelaide and into Victoria.
“Into Saturday and Sunday, the storm risk broadly eases for South Australia, but showers remain,” Ms Bradbury said.
“Victoria could see some thunderstorms continuing through the weekend in cooler, showery air.”
The wet weather is set to blanket much of South East Queensland and northeastern NSW, with the bureau warning the worst affected areas would span parts of Maranoa and Warrego.
“This means that Brisbane and the southeast coast of Queensland could get the thundery and wet weather today, but storms in this area are less likely to be severe,” Ms Bradbury said.
Wet and wild conditions are forecast to stretch through parts of NSW, spanning the Blue Mountains to the west of Sydney, as well as broader parts of the Hunter Region.
However, the bureau expects the soggy conditions to skip Sydney altogether.
Meanwhile, the first tropical cyclone of the season could be on Australia’s doorstep as early as next week, as sea temperatures soar in the country’s north.
A tropical low dubbed 02U has started to develop north of the Kimberley in Western Australia and is forecast to move to the Timor Sea early next week, priming the region for the first potential tropical clone of the season.
Typically, tropical cyclones develop between November and April, with an average of 10 cyclones forming per season.
However, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, only three or four cyclones usually make landfall.
Weatherzone warns the sea surface temperatures is tipping past 31C, which is well above the minimum temperature of 26.5C required for a cyclone to form.
“The blob of warm water to the northwest of Darwin ranks in the top 10 per cent of historical records for this time of year, meaning the ocean is primed to support tropical cyclone development in the coming weeks,” the Weatherzone website reads.
While the “blob” of warm water settling over the Kimberley is optimal for a tropical cyclone to develop, the bureau said the chances were low.
“At this stage, the tropical low has only a low chance of developing into a tropical cyclone from around next Tuesday,” Ms Bradbury said.
“Its development will really depend on certain atmospheric conditions being met.”
On Friday, Brisbane residents can expect a stormy and wet day, with a thunderstorm forecast for the evening and a top of 26C.
In Sydney, conditions will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of a shower and a maximum temperature of 24C.
Canberra will be similar on Friday, with partly cloudy skies and a slight chance of a shower, reaching a top of 27C.
Conditions in Melbourne are forecast to be overcast with a slight chance of a shower in the evening and the mercury peaking at 18C.
Hobart will be cloudy and windy, as a possible shower passes in the morning and early afternoon, with temperatures to reach 15C.
It will be wet and wild in Adelaide, with a forecast of thunderstorms in the afternoon and a maximum temperature of 25C.
Perth residents will see sunny skies and light winds, reaching a top of 24C on Friday.
Darwin can expect a day filled with cloudy skies, a high chance of showers, and a thunderstorm, reaching a top of 33C.
Originally published as Millions to be smashed by storms, warm ocean ‘blob’ could trigger first tropical cyclone
