Potential thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected to smash Tasmania this weekend, as the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and State Emergency Service (SES) urge residents to be prepared.
A low-pressure system developing over southeastern South Australia is forecasted to move south and deepen off the west coast of Tasmania on Saturday, bringing “moderate to heavy rainfall to most of Tasmania over the weekend”.
The BOM predicts that the highest rainfall totals are likely to occur in the southeast of the state from late Saturday into Sunday.
SES Assistant Director Leon Smith said early weather forecasting shows that there is “the potential for flash flooding, thunderstorms and damaging winds” across the state this weekend.
“Over the weekend we may see 48-hour rainfall totals of 50 to 80mms, with isolated totals of 100mm + in south-eastern, eastern and north-eastern Tasmania,” Smith said.
“Heavy rains may lead to riverine flooding from Sunday into early next week.”
“With heavy rains forecast it’s time to prepare your property and be mindful of keeping informed on the conditions.”
The BOM expects rainfall totals of 20mm to 30mm on Saturday, with forecasts indicating 15mm to 30mm across the north and northeast of the state on Sunday.
Isolated higher rainfall amounts are possible in the southeast, raising the likelihood of minor flooding developing within the flood watch area starting Saturday night and the possibility of isolated moderate flooding.
Catchments likely to be affected include the North Esk River, South Esk River, Meander River, Macquarie River, East Coastal Rivers (north of Bicheno), Huon River, Channel Coastal Rivers (South East Cape to Gordon), Derwent River, Jordan River, Coal River, East Coastal Rivers (south of Bicheno) and South East.
The BOM say the flood watch is just a “heads up” and not a flood warning at this stage.
