Parts of Australia's east coast are enduring a severe weather event this weekend, with intense rainfall, damaging hail, and dangerous surf conditions affecting multiple states. The wild weather comes just days after flash flooding caused significant damage along Victoria's Great Ocean Road.
Torrential Downpours and Severe Storm Warnings
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings for widespread showers and thunderstorms across New South Wales and south-east Queensland. Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore stated that regions including the Illawarra, Sydney, the Central Coast, and the Hunter could expect intense rainfall. Isolated falls could reach 80-100mm, with widespread totals of 30-50mm forecast.
On Saturday morning, the north Parramatta area was hit hard, receiving a staggering 35mm of rain in just thirty minutes. This intensity is expected to continue as the weather system moves northwards. Meanwhile, the NSW south coast has already seen exceptional totals, with Moruya recording 146mm and Bodalla 136mm overnight on Friday.
Coastal Dangers and Hailstorms
Authorities have urged extreme caution along the coastline. Hazardous surf warnings are active for beaches from Newcastle down to Batemans Bay and the Eden coast. NSW police have advised people to stay out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas. Rock fishers are being told to seek safe, sheltered locations.
The storm cell has also brought destructive hail. The town of Coramba, north-west of Coffs Harbour, was pelted with hailstones measuring 5-7cm in diameter on Friday. Further severe storms predicted for north-east NSW and south-east Queensland on Saturday carry the risk of more large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall.
National Outlook and Climate Context
The severe conditions extend beyond NSW. In Victoria, communities are recovering from storms that dumped 180mm in six hours on Lorne and Wye River earlier in the week, triggering flash flooding that swept away vehicles and caravans. While conditions there are easing, widespread flood warnings remain for much of inland, northern, and western Queensland.
A tropical low is also expected to bring heavy storms to the Top End and Kimberley regions over the weekend. Meteorologists predict the wet weather in NSW will persist into Sunday before conditions ease on Monday, with hotter, drier westerly winds forecast to return later next week.
This extreme weather event occurs against a backdrop of a changing climate, which scientists say makes Australia more vulnerable to such natural disasters. The World Meteorological Organization recently confirmed that 2025 has continued a three-year streak of extraordinary global temperatures, with surface air temperatures averaging 1.48C above pre-industrial levels.
