A ‘wintry blast’ has forced the closure of several businesses across Hobart, including the Elizabeth Street Mall Metro Shop, as heavy rain and strong winds sweep through the state.
36mm of rain has fallen in the city over the last 12 hours, while a severe weather warning remains in place for most of Tasmania.
In a statement, Metro said they were forced to shut up shop “due to flooding”.
“Our information hotline is also experiencing some technical issues due to the weather. Thank you for your patience as our team does their best to answer your calls,” they said.
“The Springfield Metro Shop will remain open. GreenCard Top-ups can be done on the bus (cash only) and online.”
Tasmania’s south experienced damaging winds overnight, with gusts of up to 100km/h recorded on kunanyi/Mount Wellington in the early hours.
More than 67mm of rain has fallen on the mountain since midnight and snow has closed the road to the summit.
Bureau of Meteorology Community Information Officer Brooke Pagel said a flood watch remains in place for parts of the North East, East Coast, Huon, Derwent and South East Catchments.
The BOM is predicting rain to ease into showers by this evening, with fresh and gusty south easterly to south westerly winds easing during the afternoon.
Forecast for the rest of Monday
Rain, easing to showers by the evening and contracting to the east, south and Bass Strait Islands. Fresh and gusty southeast to southwesterly winds, easing during the afternoon.
Tuesday 16 July
Showers, more frequent about the south and east, easing during the afternoon and evening. South to southeasterly winds.
Wednesday 17 July
Partly cloudy about the northwest with showers elsewhere, more frequent about the south and east. Showers falling as snow above 700 metres in the south. Southeast to southwesterly winds.
