A sharp burst of wintry weather is set to hit New South Wales this week, bringing an end to the recent run of warm and balmy days. As the end of daylight saving approaches, a powerful system moving across southeastern Australia is expected to deliver strong winds, heavy rain and a noticeable drop in temperatures, with coastal areas likely to feel the brunt of the change. The shift is expected to arrive early, with conditions deteriorating from Thursday before intensifying into Friday.
The change is being driven by a cold front sweeping across southeastern Australia on Thursday, which is expected to trigger the rapid development of a low pressure system over the western Tasman Sea. According to Weatherzone, this system will deepen offshore as it tracks near the NSW coast, generating strong southerly winds and severe conditions across eastern parts of NSW and Victoria. While the front itself will bring an initial drop in temperatures, the low is forecast to be the more intense phase of the event.
Heavy rain and strong winds forecast
Rainfall totals could be significant in parts of the state, with some areas forecast to receive between 50 and 100mm, increasing the risk of localised flash flooding. Conditions are predicted to become especially hazardous along the coast, with large and powerful waves forecast to build through Friday and into Saturday. Wave heights could reach 3 to 5 metres, with the potential to exceed that along exposed stretches of the NSW coastline. Authorities are warning that conditions will be dangerous for water activities including swimming, fishing and boating, with an added risk of coastal erosion in vulnerable areas.
The change will be especially noticeable in Sydney, where temperatures are expected to fall by around 10 degrees in the space of a day, dropping from the high 20s to around 20°C. A similar drop is expected in Canberra, where daytime temperatures are set to reach just 15°C, while Melbourne is forecast to reach around 16°C.
Keep an eye on the latest forecasts and warnings on Weatherzone, and follow the Bureau of Meteorology on Twitter for real-time updates.
