Storm clouds rolling in over the Brindabellas near Tuggeranong earlier this year – expect more shortly. Photo: James Coleman.
Wild winds and storms are just some of the extreme weather being forecast for the next few days for southeast Australia.
It’s all part of a cold front sweeping across much of eastern Australia, pulling hot air from the Northern Territory and central Australia to the country’s east.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said the system will arrive in southeast NSW and the ACT late on Tuesday and last into Wednesday.
“We’re going to see a risk of severe thunderstorms … The main risk time for that is going to be from early afternoon [today].”
“Generally, those storms should be non-severe, but there definitely is a risk that they could become severe and they could bring some damaging winds.”
The mercury will also spike beyond normal spring temperatures, with Canberra to reach 30 degrees today and tomorrow.
In regional NSW, Batemans Bay will reach 34 degrees tomorrow, while Wollongong will swelter through 36.
Other locations – such as Yass, Merimbula, Wagga Wagga and Bega – will hover around 30 degrees.
Ms Bradbury describes the conditions as a “perfect storm” that is bringing a taste of summer to the southeast
She also urged people to follow any directions from emergency services about fire safety, saying that the warmer and windy weather could combine to ignite fires.
“There was already a lot of heat sitting across the northern parts of Australia. As this cold front approaches, it has the opportunity to tap into that.
“It’s that combination of the heat and the strong winds that is driving the fire dangers, thunderstorms and the strong winds.”
She also said meteorologists were watching for the “big fire starter” of dry lightning, which is an extra risk as only a few patchy showers are forecast (rather than a drenching).
“It’s possible anytime we’ve got thunderstorms forecast, but not a whole lot of rain forecast … It’s not our number one concern tomorrow, but it’s definitely something to be mindful of, as well.”
ACT Rural Fire Service operations manager Ken Hall said the Territory would likely see a ‘Moderate’ fire rating in place for the rest of the week.
As summer approaches, Canberra firefighters are preparing for the bush capital to continue drying out, with southern parts of the ACT already starting that process.
“What we’re seeing this year is that the drying pattern that started to come in last year is continuing this year,” he said.
“Those conditions we saw yesterday [20 October], and the winds and lack of rain at the moment, we will see our grasslands and forest areas dry out over the next few weeks.”
On Wednesday, Illawarra, Far South Coast, Snowy Mountains and parts of the ACT above 1500 metres could see damaging winds from 55 km/hr to 75 km/hr (with gusts up to 100 km/hr possible), according to the BoM’s latest warning.
Ms Bradbury urged people to be careful when out and about over the next 48 hours, warning that the strong winds can take down trees and power lines, or push debris onto roads.
“Staying cool, staying indoors, staying hydrated is the best advice,” she said.
“I guess the good news is that it’s really a one-day event at this stage. Once we get to Thursday, everything eases right back off.”
The NSW State Emergency Service also advises that during storms, people should:
- Move your car under cover
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains
- Don’t walk, ride your bike or drive through floodwater
- If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue
- Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire-affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks
- After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides
- Unplug computers and appliances
- Avoid using the phone during the storm
- Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well
- Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
The latest forecasts and warnings are available through the BoM’s website or the BOM Weather app.
For emergency help in floods and storms, call the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500. The ACT ESA also maintains an incidents page where locals can view ongoing hazards, incidents and response efforts.
