Australia’s Summer Weather: Heavy Rain, Heatwaves, and Cyclone Threat

Australia’s summer weather is marked by severe storms in the East, a developing heatwave in the West, and the potential formation of the first cyclone, Tropical Cyclone Sean, near mainland Australia.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has predicted ongoing wet and windy weather for parts of the East Coast this Saturday, especially affecting the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions. Meanwhile, a significant heatwave is anticipated to develop in the West, gradually spreading to the eastern parts of Australia by next week. Furthermore, a tropical low is forming off the northwest coast of Western Australia, potentially evolving into the first cyclone of the season near the mainland.

Heavy rainfall is expected across New South Wales’ Hunter region and Mid North Coast, primarily on Saturday morning. Other affected areas include the Kimberley region in Western Australia, as two major low-pressure systems approach from either side of the country. In contrast, hot desert winds will instigate a second heatwave in Western Australia, expanding into the eastern regions by early to mid-next week.

On Saturday, eastern New South Wales can expect persistent wet and windy conditions, particularly in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions. Senior forecaster Angus Hines from BOM noted that severe weather warnings will likely remain until noon due to a large low-pressure system offshore. Rainfall totals between 70 and 120 millimeters are projected, raising potential flooding concerns for various rivers across the region.

Mr. Hines indicated that the intense storms earlier in the week had resulted in significant weather events across eastern New South Wales and Victoria. Reports of nearly two million lightning strikes and unusual hail, measuring up to 10 centimeters, were noted in northern New South Wales. However, areas in Victoria, inland New South Wales, Tasmania, and South Australia are currently experiencing stable, dry conditions expected to persist into the following week.

In the Western states, temperatures are set to rise significantly, reaching the high 30s in Perth by the weekend and exceeding the 40-degree mark by Monday and Tuesday. This heat will follow its typical trajectory, moving eastward in subsequent days. Other regions, including parts of Queensland and southern Australia, will also face mild heatwave warnings, although most capital cities will remain unaffected.

Brisbane has witnessed record-high temperatures this January, equaling its warmest day at 38.1°C on Thursday. The intense heat will shift further up the coast, with central and northern Queensland facing temperatures as much as 8 degrees higher than usual.

A cyclone could potentially form off Western Australia’s coast this weekend, likely named Tropical Cyclone Sean. The BOM’s first track map indicates a tropical low developing near Broome, with high chances of cyclone formation by Sunday evening. Although this system is not expected to make landfall, it may still lead to substantial rainfall along the northern coasts and impact coastal areas with gale-force winds.

The late arrival of this year’s monsoon has left northern Australia without moisture relief. The expected short-lived rainy period this weekend may not significantly alleviate the ongoing heat and humidity that have persisted throughout the season.

This article provides an overview of the current weather conditions in Australia as summer progresses. The BOM forecasts wet, windy conditions for the East Coast, particularly for New South Wales, alongside an anticipated heatwave in the West. A developing tropical low off Western Australia raises the possibility of the first cyclone of the season. These weather patterns are indicative of extreme summer conditions affecting various regions across the country.

In summary, Australia is currently experiencing diverse weather conditions, with wet and windy weather in the east and a developing heatwave in the west. The potential formation of a cyclone raises additional concerns for coastal regions. As the season progresses, ongoing heat and humidity remain substantial challenges, particularly in northern Australia.

Original Source: www.abc.net.au