Home

Tornado risk as ‘supercell’ storms lash Australia’s east coast

Jack PaynterNCA NewsWire
Not Supplied
Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: Supplied

Australia could be hit by more tornadoes this week as heavy rainfall and “nasty, supercell” thunderstorms hit the nation’s east coast.

Forecasters are warning Aussies to be prepared as the east coast storm season continues with a vengeance.

Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe said rain along the east coast on Tuesday and Wednesday would turn into a severe thunderstorm event later in the week.

Central west NSW and southern Queensland are still recovering from a previous tornado and severe “supercell” storms that peppered the region only last month.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Mr Sharpe said as the rain gave way to a little bit of sunshine on Thursday, the extra heat would make conditions ripe for thunderstorm activity.

He said Thursday would be a “really explosive” day for thunderstorms in parts of the nation’s east.

Thunderstorm forecast for 3pm Thursday. Windy.com
Camera IconThunderstorm forecast for 3pm Thursday. Windy.com Credit: Supplied

“They could be nasty on Thursday, particularly in the central and northern ranges of NSW, maybe out to the coastline as well and up into the Darling Downs Granite Belt,” Mr Sharpe said.

“In those regions, there’s potential for supercell thunderstorms, and at this point I cannot rule out tornadoes forming with one of two thunderstorms as well.”

He said the storms could continue into Friday morning, particularly in southern Queensland, before progressing into the central east regions of the state.

“A few showers and storms into the afternoon of Friday for eastern NSW as well,” Mr Sharpe said.

SYDNEY RAIN
Camera IconRain is expected along much of the nation’s east coast this week. NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia

Ahead of the severe storms, Mr Sharpe said the main rain event in NSW and southern Queensland would ease on Tuesday night with some drizzle hanging around on Wednesday morning, particularly in northeastern NSW.

Thunderstorms are active in the southeast interior of Queensland on Tuesday with the potential to move into the southeast coast district during the afternoon.

Further south, a complex low pressure system will bring heavy falls to South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania from Wednesday.

Showers will start spreading across South Australia on Wednesday morning before rolling into Victoria and becoming more consistent.

Mr Sharpe said there would also be a few lightning strikes with the rain event.

He said the low was likely to become “quite intense” at times and could move into Bass Strait, meaning both Victoria and Tasmania could experience heavy falls.

“There’s potential for some isolated areas to reach as much as 100mm in the coming week from this event,” Mr Sharpe said.

Along Tasmania’s east coast and central and northeast Victoria, 50mm of rain is forecast, while between 25mm and 50mm could fall over many regions along the nation’s east coast.

jack.paynter@news.com.au

Originally published as Tornado risk as ‘supercell’ storms lash Australia’s east coast

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails