BoM meteorologist Dean Narramore said severe thunderstorm warnings were likely for several days. Photo: Boom.
The Met Office has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for locally heavy and intense rain and hail this afternoon (20 November).
The warning applies to parts of the ACT, South Coast, South Lands, South West Slopes, Riverina, Snowy Mountains and forecast areas of the Central West Slopes and Plains.
A Met Bank spokesman said: “A north-easterly air current will pull moisture into the state, with the trough deepening inland aiding the development of severe thunderstorms in NSW today.”
“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may produce flash flooding and large hail over the next few hours in parts of the South Coast, South Lands, South West Slopes, Riverina, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory, Central West Slopes and Plains regions. Locations include Which may be affected by Cooma, Griffith, Gundagai, Tumut, Junee and Darlington Point.
“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce locally heavy and intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding and large hail over the next few hours in parts of the Southwest Slopes and Riverina areas.”
According to BoM meteorologist Dean Narramore, thunderstorms are expected to hit much of northern and eastern Australia this week.
“We are likely to see several days of severe thunderstorm warnings across large parts of northern and eastern Australia,” he said.
Mr Narramore said patterns of instability (energy present in the atmosphere when storms develop) indicate that thunderstorms will hit and miss across the country throughout the week.
“One day you’ll get hit. The next day, not so much,” he said.
On Thursday and Friday, there will be large amounts of energy for potential storms.
Widespread rain and storms are expected across much of NSW this evening, “and this pattern will continue as we move into the next day,” Narramore said.
Moving into Tuesday, winds and rain will likely spread once again.
“Once again, severe thunderstorms with large hail, damaging winds and heavy rain are likely each day,” he said.
The NSW State Emergency Service advises people to:
- Move your car under the hood
- Stay away from streams and storm drains
- Do not walk, bike, or drive through floodwater
- If you are trapped by flash floods, seek shelter in the highest available place and call 000 if you need to be rescued.
- Be aware that rainwater runoff in fire-affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. They may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks
- After wildfires, heavy rains and loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, increasing the chance of landslides.
- Disconnect computers and devices
- Avoid using your phone during a storm
- Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well
- Be vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed after the forest fires.
For emergency assistance in floods and storms, call SES (NSW and ACT) on 132500.
Original article published by Lizzie Weymouth on Riotact.
