Sydney residents are being urged to prepare for a weekend of wild weather, with forecasters predicting heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms and hazardous coastal conditions. The city is in the path of the same volatile weather system that caused destructive flooding further south in Victoria.
Significant Rainfall and Thunderstorm Threat
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that a slow-moving low-pressure system will sweep across New South Wales on Saturday, bringing substantial rainfall. More than 100 millimetres of rain is forecast across parts of the state over the next three days. The impact across Sydney is expected to be uneven, with coastal suburbs likely to receive the heaviest falls.
"The forecast is showing quite a wide range, and that’s when thunderstorms are key contributors to rain," said Angus Hines, the Bureau of Meteorology’s Community Information Lead. He indicated that some suburbs closer to the coast could receive between 50 to 70 millimetres, while other areas might see 10 to 20 millimetres.
Dangerous Surf and Prolonged Event
In addition to the rain, damaging surf warnings have been issued for the coastline. Waves of up to five metres are expected along parts of the coast, including Cronulla Beach, with the potential for dangerous conditions to extend north. "Rough seas are expected on Sydney’s waters … it could be dangerous coastal conditions," Hines cautioned.
Authorities stress that this will not be a quick-moving event. The system is expected to linger, with rain continuing to pile into already soaked parts of southern NSW throughout the weekend. This follows flooding warnings along the NSW South Coast, where holidaymakers were advised to leave low-lying campgrounds.
System Follows Victorian Flash Flooding
The severe weather threat for NSW comes on the heels of an "extraordinary rainfall event" in Victoria. Intense rainfall there caused multiple rivers to burst their banks simultaneously, leading to destructive flash flooding. The event forced the evacuation of up to 400 people with little warning in areas like Lorne and Wye River, stranding holidaymakers and triggering a major emergency response.
Emergency services are now urging Sydneysiders and visitors to remain vigilant. Key advice includes:
- Avoiding flood-prone areas and exposed coastal locations.
- Monitoring official warnings and conditions closely.
- Preparing for unsettled weather to linger into next week.
The community is reminded that this weather system has already demonstrated its destructive potential, and taking precautions is essential for safety.
