Two Aussie states bracing for severe storms

Experts are warning of potential power outages and damages to cars and property amid threats of severe storms at southeast Australia’s most popular tourist hotspots.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned potentially severe storms could smatter swathes of southeast Queensland and northern NSW on Thursday evening.

Developing over Thursday afternoon, severe storms were most likely from Byron Bay in northern NSW to as far south as Port Macquarie.

Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said the sodden weather brought with it the risk of damaging winds and hail, including across broader southeast Queensland.

“Storms are possible today throughout much of central and southeast QLD, northeast NSW, extending all the way down through the Hunter to west of Sydney, “ she said.

“In severe storm areas, we may see damaging wind gusts and large hail. Heavy rain is less likely today, although we may still see some short, sharp downbursts.

“Damaging winds and large hail may lead to trees and branches being brought down, potentially impacting property or cars and leading to some damage.

“We may also see some power outages or disruptions to traffic and transport thanks to these severe weather impacts.”

The Bureau was warning parts of the NSW Northern Rivers and mid north coast were most at risk, including the vicinity of Byron Bay, Lismore, and Coffs Harbour.

While the weather will extend as far south as the Blue Mountains, Sydney is forecast for only up to 15mm of rain on Thursday, before lessening to 1mm on Friday.

Skies will remain clear over the weekend as the Bureau said the cold weather front interacting with warm weather from the north moves off the mainland.

Further north, the Bureau forecast Brisbane to receive just “standard or non-severe storms” on Thursday afternoon, with less than 1mm expected Friday.

Showers will nonetheless persist there over the weekend with up to 15mm on Sunday, with no more than 2mm forecast for Melbourne until Sunday.

To the south, bushwalkers were advised that snow was expected as low as 500m on Thursday afternoon across the Western and Central Plateau.

Hobart will also see between 1-5mm of range on Thursday, with up to 2mm on Saturday; Adelaide will be cloudy with no rain forecast.

Canberra is expected to receive a late shower on Thursday but will be sunny over the weekend, while Perth and Darwin are set for clear skies and heat.