Eastern Australia Faces Rain, Elsewhere Stays Warm

For Thursday, the 15th of January, conditions are fairly active across eastern parts of the country. Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected across much of northern and inland Queensland, while a deepening trough will bring showers and thunderstorms through parts of New South Wales and much of eastern and southern Victoria. Some of these storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall.

Onshore flow will also bring showers to parts of Tasmania. In contrast, conditions will be much drier and cooler across southern parts of South Australia, becoming hot as you move into Western Australia due to easterly winds. Meanwhile, showers and storms will continue across much of the tropical north.

In Queensland, widespread rain and thunderstorm activity is expected across northern and inland areas, with some storms potentially severe and producing heavy rainfall. South-eastern Queensland looks relatively quiet on Thursday, with warm and sunny conditions, though it will be very hot in far western parts of the state. Birdsville is forecast to reach 45 °C. Brisbane can expect dry and sunny conditions, with a partly cloudy day and a top of 31 °C.

In New South Wales, the inland trough will deepen and bring rain and storms to much of eastern New South Wales, particularly central and south-eastern parts of the state. Heavy falls and severe thunderstorms are likely from northern New South Wales through to the south-east, with large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall all possible. Temperatures will be warm and humid, especially inland, where far north-western areas may reach 43 °C. Coastal areas will be cooler but humid, with rain and storms. Sydney is forecast to reach 28 °C with showers and thunderstorms.

The ACT can expect a similar pattern, with Canberra reaching 28 °C and experiencing rain and thunderstorms, some of which could be severe.

In Victoria, the same inland trough will slowly deepen, bringing widespread rain and thunderstorm activity through eastern and then southern parts of the state during Thursday. Some storms in eastern Victoria may be severe. Temperatures will be on the cooler side but humid, particularly in eastern and southern areas, with highs in the low to mid-20s. Northern Victoria will be warmer, reaching the low 30s, while the far west and north-west remain dry. Melbourne is forecast to reach 24 °C with showers and thunderstorms.

Tasmania is looking at a mild to warm day, with rain and storms mostly confined to areas around Bass Strait. A few light showers are possible along the east coast. Temperatures will range from the high teens to the low and mid-20s. Hobart may see a shower or two, with a top of 19 °C.

In South Australia, on the backside of the weather system affecting New South Wales and Victoria, cooler southerly winds will spread across southern parts of the state. Conditions will be windy and gusty, with cooler temperatures in the south. Mount Gambier is forecast to reach around 20 °C, while Adelaide will be partly cloudy with a top of 25 °C. Temperatures warm significantly in northern parts of the state, reaching the low 40s.

Western Australia continues to see heat as the main story. Southern coastal areas will be cooler due to onshore southerly winds, but Perth is heating up, with a forecast top of 36 °C under mostly sunny skies. A deepening west coast trough will maintain hot conditions across inland and northern WA, with temperatures in the high 30s to low and mid-40s.

Across the Northern Territory, showers and thunderstorms are expected across the north, typical for this time of year. Activity is mostly focused around remnant moisture from ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji in north-west Queensland, extending into eastern and northern parts of the Top End. The Kimberley will be hot, with only isolated showers and storms. Southern parts of the NT will be very hot, with temperatures in the low to mid-40s and very warm overnight lows in the high 20s. Darwin is forecast to be partly cloudy with a top of 33 °C, with the chance of an inland shower or storm later in the day.

With all the weather going on around the country on Thursday, make sure you get the latest forecasts and warnings for your area via our website, app and social media. We'll continue to keep you updated here at the Bureau.