Tasmanians in the north and east of the state are being warned of heavy rain and damaging winds that could lead to flash flooding and power outages this weekend.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for the north-east and east coast districts, including the towns of Devonport, Burnie, Smithton, Scottsdale, St Helens, Swansea, Bicheno and Orford.
A low-pressure system moving south over Bass Strait is bringing the wet and windy conditions, with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms forecast to develop over the north and east on Saturday night.
The Bureau predicts six-hourly rainfall totals of 40 to 60mm, with isolated amounts reaching 100mm possible over the north-east.
“Locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding are possible if thunderstorm activity can develop about the north-east and east coast, with six-hour totals potentially reaching 125mm,” the warning reads.
“A strong and very moist easterly wind flow will accompany this feature, leading to the risk of heavy to locally intense rainfall and damaging wind gusts.”
“Conditions will generally ease following the passage of the trough, although some thunderstorm activity may persist.”
Damaging wind gusts in excess of 80km/h are also likely, particularly around the coast and elevated terrain.
The conditions are expected to spread to parts of south-eastern Tasmania and the central plateau on Sunday while easing over the north of the state.
A flood watch has also been put in place for several main river catchments.
