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‘Rain bomb’: Urgent weather warning for several states

Hamish SpenceNCA NewsWire
The amount of rain that fell in NSW in the 24 hours to 9am on Saturday. Sky News Weather
Camera IconThe amount of rain that fell in NSW in the 24 hours to 9am on Saturday. Sky News Weather Credit: Supplied

Parts of east and south east Australia are still feeling the effects of a rain band that has made its way across the country, with renewed flood warning issues in place for multiple states.

A cold front that started in Western Australia earlier in the week has brought showers to parts of NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

While the wettest day of the deluge for NSW was on Friday, multiple areas across the state are still on high alert, particularly inland and western regions.

“A cold front associated with a low pressure system is bringing showers or rain areas to parts of western NSW,” the Bureau of Meteorology said.

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“This rainfall may cause minor flooding along the north and central west inland NSW rivers. Renewed rises and major flooding is also possible along the Macquarie River, which experienced flooding due to the rainfall last week.”

A minor to major flood warning is in place for the Macquarie River downstream of Burrendong Dam.

Minor warnings are also in place for the Upper Macintyre River, Gwydir River, Peel River, Namoi River and Macquarie River to Bathurst.

Coonamble (33mm of rain), Narrabri (23.8mm of rain), Dubbo (22.4mm of rain) and Tamworth (19.4mm of rain) all copped soakings in the 24 hours to 9am on Saturday.

It was quieter along the coast though, with 5.8mm and 3.6mm falling in Sydney and Newcastle.

The state’s central and northern ranges could continue to experience up to 25mm of rain throughout Saturday while thunderstorms are also a possibility.

“Thunderstorms are a risk inland today (Saturday) across large parts of the state, while east of the divide is looking mostly dry on Sunday save for a few drops,” Sky News meteorologist Alison Osborne said.

The deluge comes during a dreary period for the state, after last month was the wettest July on record for much of the NSW east coast, including Sydney, with rainfall around four to eight times higher than average.

rain
Camera IconThe amount of rain that fell in NSW in the 24 hours to 9am on Saturday. Sky News Weather Credit: Supplied

Similar wet and grey weather conditions are forecasted in Queensland for Saturday across the state’s south east, including Brisbane and Gold Coast.

The BOM has advised that heavy showers and thunderstorms are possible, though it is expected to clear up by Sunday.

“A rain band and trough will make for a showery stormy day as far north as Rockhampton,” Ms Osborne said.

“That system should push out to sea by a large high which will make for much more settled weather heading into the beginning of next week.

“What will follow is what’s looking like six days of sunny dry weather. So for Queenslanders, at least this is the only wet weather that you’re going to have to contend with for the next week.”

There is a minor flood warning for the Paroo River, while flood watches are in place for the Border Rivers, Upper Condamine and Weir catchments.

Brisbane Weather
Camera IconWet conditions are expected in Brisbane on Saturday, though the rain is expected to clear by Sunday. NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall Credit: News Corp Australia

In Victoria showers and possible storms have been forecasted for multiple areas throughout the state, including Melbourne.

Wet conditions are expected to continue in Victoria heading into next week, with a Tasmanian rain band swinging towards the state on Monday.

There is a minor flood warning for the Kiewa River, which BOM said would likely develop early on Saturday afternoon.

Originally published as ‘Rain bomb’: Urgent weather warning for several states

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