Severe weather alert: SA, Victoria and NSW likely to experience thunderstorms, heavy rain

An alert has been issued for three states – South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales – as thunderstorms are expected to up the possibility of flash flooding. Heavy rain and thunderstorms will likely impact the three states.

On Thursday, South Australia received a considerably heavy amount of rain. As much as 29mm of rainfall was experienced in the northern Adelaide suburb of Edinburgh. The rains are expected to progress eastwards on Friday.

Meanwhile, 25mm of rain fell in a period of nearly 25min in the town of Wudinna. Melbourne received 21mm of rainfall overnight on Thursday. In Adelaide, numerous homes experienced power outage as a result of thunderstorms. More than 74,000 lightning strikes were recorded by SA Power networks.

As reported by AAP (via 9News), the Bureau of Meteorology has said tropical moisture enhances the possibility of more rainfall – which could reach as much as 50mm. New South Wales is expected to experience severe weather – including heavy rain, strong winds and hail – on Friday.

Victorian cities of Geelong and Hamilton received a bulk of the rainfall, recording 26mm and 29mm respectively. Meanwhile, northeast Victoria has been placed under a severe weather warning. Wodonga, Wangaratta, Corryong, Bright, Falls Creek and Mt Buller are expected to receive heavy rain and possible flash flooding.

Senior forecaster Michael Efron said rainfall in Melbourne could abate. “We’re seeing the back edge of the rain in the Geelong area at the moment — so expect the rains to clear in central Melbourne during the next hour or so,” Efron said, as reported by the Herald Sun. Southwesterly winds are expected to bring cooler temperatures in the city.

Western Victoria will see things easing as the weekend approaches. The weather is not expected to affect the Australian Open. “There's still going to be further rain over the next couple of hours, but I think towards 9am, that should ease to showers,” Rod Dickson, senior forecaster, said. “We're likely to see some isolated shower activity for the remainder of the day, particularly in the eastern suburbs, but I think the city and western suburbs will be mostly fine with only a slight chance of a shower through the afternoon.”