Millions of Australians are set to be hit by “pretty nasty” storms that could bring winds upwards of 100km/h and heavy bursts of rain.
Sky News Weather meteorologist Alison Osbourne warned squall line storms could move in from Gippsland in Victoria’s east all the way to coastal regions in NSW on Wednesday, while Sydney could be hit by severe storms in the evening.
“There’s the potential that this line of storms will be what we call a squall line, and they’re pretty nasty storm systems because they can deliver quite nasty winds potentially upwards of 100km/h,” Ms Osbourne said.
“They can also generate heavy bursts of rain as well, and the threat of those today is broadly from Gippsland and through to NSW’s south west slopes.”
Australia is set to be smashed by rain and storms. Picture: Weatherzone.
She said areas south of Orange, including Canberra and Wagga Wagga, were also likely to see those “nasty” storms.
“But broadly speaking there’s the risk of severe storms on and west of the Great Dividing Range,” she said.
Hailstones the size of tennis and golf balls were recorded in Queensland on Tuesday, particularly in Stanthorpe in the Southern Downs region.
Ms Osbourne said there was a risk of more hail across central to southern Queensland on Wednesday, with a chance areas inland of coast of NSW’s central west could also be hit.
“Large hailstones grape size or larger certainly looking possible as squally storms make their way through NSW,” Ms Osbourne said.
“Sydney itself there’s the risk of storms more likely late this evening, and thundery showers continuing into tomorrow morning.”
Hail the size of tennis balls was recorded in Queensland on Tuesday. Picture: Higgins Storm Chasing
The giant hail fell in Stanthorpe. Picture: Linda Lennon
Thunder was beginning to move through Victoria on Wednesday morning ahead of a cold front tipped to move through.
“That change is moving through central Victoria this morning and it’ll be dropping temperatures down into the low 20s and high teens around Melbourne for the rest of the day,” Ms Osbourne said.
“Canberra is in for a hot and probably quite stormy day, and Sydney is in for a hot day as well.”
The chance of thunderstorms was forecast for Wednesday and Thursday across much of the country. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele
Sydney is forecast to hit 31C on Wednesday with the chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening, with the temperature set to drop to a high of 25C on Thursday as the potential for storms continues.
Melbourne is tipped to hit a high of 27C on Thursday before dropping to 21C on Thursday with a chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Brisbane is set to jump from a high of 31C on Wednesday to 35C on Thursday with the chance of showers and thunderstorms, while Perth is set for a sunny 40C on Thursday.
Adelaide is tipped to hit a high of 25C on Thursday with a chance of showers, while Hobart is set to drop from 26C to 22C moving into Thursday with a chance of thunderstorms on Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Canberra is tipped to hit 34C on Wednesday with a chance of showers and thunderstorms before the temperature is set to drop to a maximum of 23C on Thursday.
There’s also a chance of thunderstorms in Darwin, with temperatures tipped to range between 33C and 32C Wednesday into Thursday.