Massive Storm System Drenches Australia; Flooding Hits Victoria, NSW on August 24

A deep low-pressure system is sweeping across southeast and central Australia from Monday through Wednesday, bringing widespread rain, severe thunderstorms, and rising flood risks. The Bureau of Meteorology warns that northeast Victoria and southern NSW could see 40-to-60mm of rain on Tuesday, with already wet catchments at risk of minor to moderate flooding. South Australia will be hit first, with 30-to-50mm expected in the Adelaide Hills and Eyre Peninsula on Monday.

Three-day storm system tracking east across the country

The low-pressure system developed over Western Australia on Saturday and has already delivered 20-to-30mm of rain and thunderstorms across the west, western South Australia, and the southern Northern Territory, including Alice Springs on Sunday. Senior meteorologist David Crockett from the Bureau of Meteorology said on Monday the system will bring rain and storms across a vast area of southeast and central Australia over the next three days. The low is currently centred in far-west South Australia, spreading rain across the state with a risk of severe thunderstorms and damaging winds in the state’s north and into southern parts of the Northern Territory.

Adelaide Hills and Victoria face flooding threat

As the system tracks east, it will move over the Eyre and Yorke peninsulas before passing near Adelaide and the hills, with higher totals possible over already saturated catchments. Crockett noted that many areas, particularly the Adelaide Hills, are quite wet already following recent rain, and creeks and rivers are ready to respond quickly to any further rainfall. From late Monday into Tuesday, the rain band will shift into western NSW and much of Victoria, with 40 to 60 millimetres or more falling on wet catchments likely to see another round of flooding.

Flood watches issued for northeast Victoria and NSW alpine regions

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a flood watch on Sunday for parts of northwest, central, and northeast Victoria, warning that renewed river level rises are expected and minor flooding may develop from Tuesday. Isolated moderate flooding is also possible if rainfall reaches the upper end of the forecast range. Catchments across the flood watch area remain wet and stream levels are elevated from recent rainfall, with flooding still ongoing in some catchments. Affected waterways include the Upper Murray, Mitta Mitta, Kiewa, Ovens and King, Broken, Goulburn, Loddon, and Avoca rivers.

Eastern coast sees showers as system moves offshore

On the east coast, the focus shifts to eastern NSW and southern Queensland on Wednesday, with showers and storms continuing as the low moves offshore. By Thursday, a high-pressure system dominates the east, but with no cold outbreak, frost risk is limited. Two-day rainfall totals of 10-to-30mm are likely across the rest of the Murray Darling and southern South Australia. Residents should avoid driving, walking, or swimming in floodwater and stay informed through local media and emergency services.

Final Thoughts

The three-day storm system poses a significant flood risk to already saturated areas of Victoria and NSW from Tuesday onward. Residents in flood watch zones should monitor Bureau of Meteorology updates and heed road closure signs to avoid dangerous floodwaters.

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