Issued: 4pm AEDT Monday, 31 October 2021
Widespread rain and storms are developing for eastern Australia, with an unseasonal period of cold weather set to follow. Meanwhile, the Northern Territory and Queensland are facing prolonged severe to extreme heatwave conditions.
Rain and thunderstorms will spread across much of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania on Monday, with moderate to heavy falls, particularly on and west of the ranges in New South Wales and north-east Victoria.
Severe thunderstorms are possible across inland New South Wales, north-east Victoria, southern and inland Queensland, and eastern South Australia including the Eyre Peninsula. Damaging winds will be the primary risk across these areas while Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales may also face the risk of heavy rain and large hail.
A Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds is current across southern South Australia, eastern and southern Tasmania, eastern New South Wales, and parts of the Australian Capital Territory.
Widespread rainfall is expected across already saturated or flooded catchments, and in some areas, creeks and rivers will rise rapidly. This is likely to impact already-affected communities.
Cold air will sweep over the south-east of Australia bringing cold temperatures, widespread showers, and Alpine snow until mid-week, all of which are unseasonal for November.
On Tuesday, cold, wet, and windy weather will spread across much of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and southern New South Wales. Widespread showers are possible with small hail and thunder, strong and gusty winds and snow falling to as low as 600 m in Tasmania, 700 m in Victoria and 800 m in New South Wales by Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Snow is possible around the New South Wales Central Tablelands, and a light dusting possible around the Northern Tablelands. Snow flurries (intermittent light snowfall of short duration) above 900 m are also possible for the Flinders Ranges in South Australia on Tuesday morning.
Snow and icy conditions on roads may lead to slippery and hazardous driving conditions.
Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday will be cool and showery with a possible thunderstorm bringing hail. With a forecast maximum of 14 C, it may be the coldest Cup Day since 1995.
Major flood warnings are current in parts New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland while minor to moderate flooding is occurring across many rivers in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.
Flood watches are current for Victoria, New South Wales and southern inland Queensland rivers with upcoming rainfall expected to lead to renewed flooding.
Isolated storms and heatwave conditions are forecast across the Top End and far northern Queensland. Heatwave conditions have eased for the Kimberley.
Maximum and minimum temperatures continue to be 2 – 6 C above average in the high 30s to low 40s combined with the very humid airmass. High overnight minimums provide little relief from the heat.
Isolated showers and thunderstorms will help to reduce the impact of daytime heat. Showers and thunderstorms look to increase through this week.
High to Extreme Fire Danger ratings continue for parts of the Northern Territory, South Australia, western Queensland, and northern and eastern Western Australia.
Observed rainfall in the 24hrs to 9am AEDT Monday include:
- 47 mm at Wynyard, Tasmania
- 45 mm at Erriba, Tasmania
- 41 mm at Burnie, Tasmania
- 39 mm at Arcoona Bluff, South Australia
- 37 mm at Tooma Dam, New South Wales
- 36 mm at Denmark, Western Australia
- 35 mm at Lightning Creek, Victoria
- 35 mm at Hunters Hill, Victoria
Damaging to destructive wind gusts in the 24 hours to 9am AEDT Monday include:
- 139km/h at Oodnadatta, South Australia
- 128km/h at Fawkner Beacon, Victoria
- 109km/h at Ben Nevis, Victoria
- 106km/h at Mt Hotham, Victoria
- 104km/h at Alice Springs Airport, Northern Territory
- 98km/h at Roxby Downs, South Australia
- 98km/h at Minlaton, South Australia
Residents and communities living on or near any rivers, creeks, and streams or in low lying areas, are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecast and warnings on the Bureau's website or the Bureau's Weather app.
For all the latest warnings see National Warnings Summary (bom.gov.au).
