BoM forecasts severe storms for four states following Queensland flash floods

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued warnings for severe thunderstorms and heavy rain across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania. These warnings take effect this weekend and follow a week of extreme rainfall that saturated parts of Queensland.

A cold front is expected to cross New South Wales on Sunday. This system will bring severe thunderstorms to the western part of the state, north-eastern Victoria, Sydney, and Brisbane. Senior BoM meteorologist David Crock stated that the threat of storms would extend across eastern Australia, with severe activity likely through a wide part of inland eastern Australia.

Queensland has already absorbed substantial moisture. The Sunshine Coast hinterlands and Caboolture recorded seven-day rainfall totals between 300mm and 400mm, with some areas reaching 450mm. Crock noted that these conditions are typical of summer months like January or February, rather than the current autumn period. The weather pattern has remained persistent, drawing large amounts of moisture into Queensland and northern New South Wales over seven to 10 days.

The heaviest falls occurred on Thursday, when torrential rain stretched from Caboolture south to the Border Ranges. Some locations received well over 200mm in a single day. This downpour caused flash flooding and triggered hundreds of calls for help to the State Emergency Service. Several schools were forced to close on Friday due to the weather.

Emergency crews responded to the flooding with specific rescue operations. The Queensland fire department carried out more than 16 swift-water rescues. In one incident, crews used a raft to reach an elderly man who was clinging to the roof of his vehicle at Caboolture.

The BoM has nine flood warnings in place for southern Queensland. Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected at several locations in central and eastern Queensland on Saturday. These locations include Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, the Sunshine Coast hinterlands, and Roma. Crock observed that there is plenty of rain across the south-east, as well as showers and storms across much of Queensland after the wet week.

Heavy rain is also expected to develop overnight into Sunday morning in Tasmania. Parts of Victoria, including Melbourne's eastern suburbs, and central and eastern South Australia may also be affected by severe storms. The forecast indicates that the new frontal system will add more water to an already saturated region.