Half of Australia braces for intense cold spell complete with damaging winds, storms
A powerful cold spell bringing damaging conditions and freezing temperatures is set to hit at least four states by the end of the weekend, experts have warned.
A low-pressure system moving from the edge of Antarctica is predicted to have travelled more than 4000 kilometres by Saturday before hitting Australia’s south.
A powerful cold front will cause damaging winds, heavy rain, hail, snow and bitterly cold temperatures across the southern half of Australia towards the end of this week. Weatherzone
Weatherzone has warned the cold snap will bring a massive surge of freezing polar air across the Southern Ocean, with temperatures expected to plummet between Saturday and Monday.
One of the first states forecast to be hit is Western Australia, with rain, thunderstorms and blustery winds expected as soon as Friday night.
Some areas in the state’s south are also being told to brace for small hail as freezing temperatures push behind the cold front.
Perth will cop light rain on Friday before more intense conditions, including strong winds and possible thunderstorms, are forecast for Saturday.
While temperatures in the state’s capital are expected to top 16 degrees on Saturday, the cold winds are expected to make the air feel as cold as 10 degrees for most of the day.
South Australia is the second state lined up for a drenching, with the cold front expected to reach the territory by Saturday afternoon, as Adelaide is expected to feel the system as early as Sunday morning.
Similar to Perth, strong winds in Adelaide are set to make temperatures feel colder than they actually are.
The low-pressure system will drag a large mass of polar air towards Australia as it traverses the Southern Ocean. Weatherzone
Heavy wind and rain are expected to continue across Australia’s south-east over the weekend, with cold temperatures across NSW, Victoria, Queensland’s south and the ACT until Monday.
The system will sweep across large parts of those states from Sunday through Monday, bringing severe conditions including heavy rain, damaging winds, hail, thunderstorms, and snow.
Forecasters warn the system could trigger destructive winds and widespread flooding as it moves across the south-east.
Damaging wind gusts are expected to develop across Victoria, NSW, and the ACT, with the potential to continue south into Tasmania.
While rain will be widespread, the heaviest falls are expected for the ranges in central and north-east Victoria, as well as NSW’s south, where some areas are bracing for 50mm to 100mm of rain in a single day.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
Most viewed in Australia
‘Unimaginable loss’: Two children killed in horror crash on the way home from school
Talia and Ebony were physically abused by their mother. Then she was made into a TV star
Blanche d’Alpuget, writer and widow of Bob Hawke, dies aged 82
Justine lost her brother suddenly. Then an unexpected email arrived
