Parts of eastern and southeastern Australia are still feeling the effects of a band of rain that has made its way across the country, with renewed flood warnings in several states.
A cold front that started in Western Australia earlier this week has brought rain to parts of NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
Although the wettest day of the NSW deluge was Friday, several areas of the state are still on high alert, particularly the interior and western regions.
“A cold front associated with a low pressure system is bringing showers or areas of rain to parts of western NSW,” the Bureau of Meteorology said.
“This rain may cause minor flooding along inland rivers in northern and central western NSW. Further rises and major flooding are also possible along the Macquarie River, which experienced flooding due to rain last week.”
A minor to major flood warning is in place for the Macquarie River downstream of Burrendong Dam.
Minor warnings are also in place for the Upper Macintyre River, Gwydir River, Peel River, Namoi River and Macquarie River to Bathurst.
Coonamble (33mm of rain), Narrabri (23.8mm of rain), Dubbo (22.4mm of rain) and Tamworth (19.4mm of rain) were drenched between 24 hours and 9am on Saturday.
However, it was quieter along the coast, with 5.8mm and 3.6mm falling in Sydney and Newcastle.
The state’s central and northern mountain ranges could continue to see up to 25mm of rain throughout Saturday, while there is also a chance of thunderstorms.
“Thunderstorms are a risk inland today (Saturday) across large parts of the state, while the east of the division looks mostly dry on Sunday, save for a few drops,” the forecaster said Sky News’ Alison Osborne.
The deluge comes during a bleak period for the state, after last month was the wettest July on record for much of the NSW east coast, including Sydney, with rainfall between four and eight times the average.
Similar weather conditions to Queensland are forecast for Saturday across the south-east of the state, including Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
The BOM has advised that heavy showers and thunderstorms are possible, although it is expected to clear on Sunday.
“A band of rain and a trough will make for a stormy day as far north as Rockhampton,” Ms Osborne said.
“This system should push out to sea with a high lift that will make for much calmer weather early next week.
“Next up is what looks like six days of sunny, dry weather. So for Queenslanders, at least that’s the only wet weather you’ll have to deal with next week.
A minor flood warning is in place for the Paroo River, while flood watches are in place for the Border, Upper Condamine and Weir River catchments.
In Victoria, showers and possible thunderstorms are forecast for several areas of the state, including Melbourne.
Wet conditions are expected to continue in Victoria heading into next week, with a band of Tasmanian rain swinging into the state on Monday.
A minor flood warning is in place for the Kiewa River, which BOM said was likely to develop on Saturday afternoon.
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