Australia’s east coast is bracing for severe weather, particularly affecting New South Wales (NSW). The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings for significant storms, including giant hailstones and destructive winds, as conditions escalate heading into Sunday.
Warnings of Fire Danger in New South Wales
On Saturday, Angus Hines, a senior meteorologist from the Bureau of Meteorology, alerted residents about the potential risks. Hines indicated that storms could lead to adverse weather impacts, including hail stones measuring 5 cm or more.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has also raised alarms about widespread fire dangers across the state. A total fire ban will be in effect for the Lower Central West Plains and Central Ranges regions starting at midnight on Saturday.
Areas Affected by Fire Ban
The fire ban covers several council areas, including:
- Central Ranges
- Bathurst
- Blayney
- Cabonne
- Cowra
- Lithgow
- Mid-Western
- Oberon
- Orange
- Bland
- Dubbo
- Forbes
- Lachlan
- Narromine
- Parkes
- Temora
- Weddin
Impact of Recent Storms
The severe weather has persisted since Friday, when storms affected northern NSW and South East Queensland. Reports indicated hail up to 4 cm, causing localized flash flooding and downed trees.
Power supply disruption occurred, impacting over 10,000 properties across various regions including Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Toowoomba. Restoration efforts returned power to most residents by Saturday morning.
Weather Forecast Across Australia
As the temperature soared two to six degrees above the November average, dry air and gusty winds contributed to elevated fire danger alerts across inland Queensland and New South Wales.
Forecasts suggest that stormy conditions will extend across most of Australia. Specific areas to watch include:
- Tropical North
- Inland Western Australia
- Southern Northern Territory
City-by-City Weather Outlook
Weather conditions vary significantly across Australian cities:
| City | Conditions | Max Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Cloudy with possible storms | 27 |
| Brisbane | Stormy with thunderstorms | 26 |
| Canberra | Cooler with showers | 27 |
| Melbourne | Overcast, chance of morning showers | 21 |
| Adelaide | Possible evening shower | 23 |
| Hobart | Cloudy and windy | 19 |
| Perth | Sunny and dry | 25 |
| Darwin | Warm, with showers and storms | 32 |
As the east coast faces severe weather, residents are urged to stay updated and take precautions to ensure safety. El-Balad will continue to monitor and report on the situation as it evolves.
