UPDATE 5PM:
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 4:35 pm, very dangerous thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Brisbane CBD and Strathpine. These thunderstorms are slow moving. Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Sunnybank Hills, Camp Hill and Narangba by 5:05 pm and Beaudesert, Lake Samsonvale and Burpengary by 5:35 pm.
Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is likely.
Kenmore has recorded 68mm in 1 hour and Greenhill has recorded 65mm in 1 hour
NSW: A severe weather warning remains in place for the Illawarra and South Coast.
A low pressure system is expected to form near the Illawarra coast Sunday evening and then to deepen and move quickly south overnight.
Heavy rain and flash flooding is possible in the Illawarra and South coast districts Sunday evening through to Monday morning. The threat area is likely to contract further south with the low later tonight.
Damaging winds averaging 60 to 65 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are possible along the coastal fringe later this evening through to the early hours of Monday.
Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Nowra, Bowral, Batemans Bay, Eden and Moruya Heads.
Damaging winds are also expected in the Snowy Mountains and parts of the Mid North Coast, Hunter, South Coast, South West Slopes, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Tablelands.
VIC: There is a severe weather warning in place for damaging winds and heavy rainfall in the North East, West and South Gippsland and East Gippsland.
Very heavy rain which will likely lead to flash flooding is forecast for the East Gippsland forecast district on Monday. Heavy rainfall which may also lead to flash flooding is forecast for parts of the North East and West and South Gippsland on Monday.
UPDATE 2PM: The Bureau of Meteorology has issued the following severe weather warning for the Illawarra and South Coast:
A low pressure system is expected to form near the Illawarra coast Sunday evening and then to deepen and move south early Monday.
HEAVY RAIN which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible in the Illawarra and South coast districts from Sunday evening through to Monday morning.
24 hour totals of in excess of 100mm are likely with a few locations possibly exceeding 130mm.
DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 65 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are possible along the coastal fringe from the early hours of Monday.
Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Nowra, Bowral, Batemans Bay, Eden and Moruya Heads.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
- Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
- Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid on 131 388, or Endeavour Energy on 131 003 or Essential Energy on 132 080, as shown on your power bill.
- Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
- If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
- For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
The next warning is due to be issued by 6pm.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 218. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
Earlier: Get set for a wet Sunday, with heavy rainfall intensifying in the afternoon, as an east coast low brings a severe weather warning to the Illawarra and South Coast.
Rain is forecast in the early hours of Sunday morning, and will steadily intensify into the afternoon as the low forms off the mid-NSW coast.
Sunday is expected to be the wettest of the coming days since the last winter storm two weeks ago and emergency crews expect to be on standby until at least Monday when the weather is likely to clear.
But the downpour will be only be a fraction of 100-200mm recorded during that last storm to drench the city, with 20 to 50mm of rainfall predicted before Monday, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
Some parts of Sydney may receive more rainfall as heavier bands within the larger rain band make their way across south along the coast and off to the east.
"There will be some dry patches throughout Sunday, but generally it'll be a wet one", said Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Gabrielle Woodhouse.
"The rain will start easing on Monday, with between two and three millimetres predicted before clearing on Tuesday," Ms Woodhouse said.
Northerly winds will start to intensifying on Sunday, with the bureau issuing a strong wind warning for the Sydney, Illawarra and Batemans Bay coasts on Sunday.
The low is expected to form near the Illawarra coast on Sunday evening before deepening and moving south early Monday. Heavy rain in excess of 100mm, possibly 150mm may lead to flash flooding in the area.
Damaging winds averaging 60 to 65 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are possible along the coastal fringe from the early hours of Monday.
A gale warning is in place for the Byron, Coffs, Macquarie and Hunter coasts.
King tides no longer threaten the coast, lowering the prospects of coastal erosion though some areas of the coastline are still open to further damage, Ms Woodhouse said.
The bureau also issued a flood watch on Friday afternoon, identifying a greater than 70 per cent chance of flooding in nine river valleys in NSW from Sunday onwards.
Most of the nine are expected to have minor flooding, although the Nepean-Hawkesbury is among three catchments that may get moderate flooding.
