WEATHER WARZONE: Australia split in two as eastern states braced for ‘SEVERE’ thunderstorms and hail while western states swelter in heatwave HELL
- Severe thunderstorms, hail, and heavy rainfall to hit inland New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania
- Parts of Western Australia, including Perth, under TOTAL FIRE BAN as temperatures soar to 39C
- Rainfall in Tasmania unlikely to reach areas ravaged by ongoing fires, leaving residents on high alert
Australia is bracing for a weekend of wild weather, with the country torn in two as the east coast prepares for severe thunderstorms and the west sizzles in a heatwave.
Inland New South Wales, Victoria, and parts of Tasmania are on high alert as severe thunderstorms, including hail, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall, are forecast to lash the regions. “We’re going to see that focus of severe thunderstorms move inland towards much of inland New South Wales and northern and northeastern Victoria,” warned BoM Meteorologist Dean Narramore.
In a dire prediction, Mr Narramore added: “Inland New South Wales could see those storms with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall.” The storms are expected to move in on Saturday evening and weaken as they approach the east coast, but Mr Narramore cautioned: “Still could be pretty wet and stormy though around the Canberra and Sydney area into the afternoon and evening hours.”
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, Perth and parts of Western Australia are bracing for extreme heat and fire danger as they enter a heatwave. The state can expect hot days and warm nights over the weekend, with Sunday expected to be the hottest day, approaching nearly 40C in Perth and some of the eastern suburbs.
While heatwaves are normal at this time of year across WA, they can still create devastating impacts, especially for those who are more vulnerable to the heat, including pets and animals. With many parts surrounding Perth under a total fire ban, residents are urged to remain vigilant.
In a cruel twist, rainfall in Tasmania is unlikely to reach the state’s ongoing fires, leaving residents on high alert. Western Tasmania can expect wet conditions, but very little rainfall is expected to reach the fires in the east, dashing hopes of relief for those battling the blazes.