The Bureau of Meteorology is urging communities to get ready and prepare for Australia's 2025-26 severe weather season.
Severe weather can happen at any time of year, but October to April is Australia's peak time for:
- severe thunderstorms
- tropical cyclones
- flooding
- heatwaves
- bushfires.
Bureau National Community Information Manager Andrea Peace said that severe weather can develop quickly and threaten lives, livelihoods and property, but you can reduce the impact of severe weather by getting ready before it happens.
"Thunderstorms develop fast and can bring heavy rain, damaging to destructive winds, large hail, lightning and flash flooding," Ms. Peace said.
"The east coast of Australia has the highest risk of severe thunderstorms, particularly northern New South Wales and southern Queensland during October to December."
In the north and west of Australia there is an increased chance of tropical cyclone activity. Records show that at least one tropical cyclone makes landfall each severe weather season.
"Tropical cyclones can have serious impacts, from heavy rainfall, damaging winds, storm surge and flooding," Ms. Peace said.
"An average of 3 to 4 cyclones cross our coast each season. Typically, around 9 to 10 tropical cyclones form in our region."
Flash flooding and riverine flooding are more common during severe weather season, particularly across the east coast of New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland.
Tropical cyclones, tropical lows and severe thunderstorms can bring heavy rainfall leading to localised and widespread flooding.
Australia also has an increased risk of severe and extreme heatwaves over the warmer months. The Bureau issues heatwave warnings when severe or extreme heatwave conditions are expected.
Dangerous and destructive fires are a risk across the country during the warmer months.
"The Bureau works closely with fire authorities to monitor weather conditions, issue fire danger ratings and warnings to help keep the community informed," Ms. Peace said.
"Fire authorities are advising an increased fire risk in the spring months for parts of Victoria, eastern South Australia and northern and central Western Australia."
Now is the time to prepare your home and property as well as review and update your emergency plans and create your emergency kits. The local emergency authority in each state and territory provides advice on how to prepare.
Stay up to date with the Bureau's forecasts and warnings via beta.bom.gov.au and download the BOM Weather app and set up warning notifications for your location.
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