Wild weather for weekend

Kingfisher

Wild weather for weekend

NSW can expect a wet and wild start to the long weekend, with a severe weather warning issued for much of the state's east.

More than 50mm fell in parts of Sydney, the Hunter Valley and the Northern Rivers areas of the state in the 24 hours to late this afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology said a low pressure system off the mid North Coast was expected to deepen and move south over the next 48 hours.

Showers and storms are expected to increase in intensity overnight and tomorrow, and continue into Saturday.

Bureau acting regional director Rob Webb said the Hunter region, the Illawarra, Central Tablelands and Sydney were at greatest risk of severe conditions.

"The low will bring very heavy rain to a wide area leading to possible flooding," Mr Webb said.

"Gale warnings have already been issued for coastal waters and we are looking at the potential of very dangerous sea conditions."

Mr Webb said people should keep a close and regular watch on the latest updates of weather forecasts and warnings.

"It's too early to predict the precise location of the heaviest rainfall and strongest wind, as this will depend on the eventual position and movement of the centre of the low," he said.

"However, we are advising people to keep monitoring our forecasts and warnings, as they will be updated as the weather system develops."

Heavy rains delayed planes at Sydney Airport this morning and three airport construction workers were taken to hospital after lightning struck their work area.

They suffered electric shocks which travelled up their legs, and were transported to St George and Prince of Wales hospitals in stable conditions, a NSW Ambulance spokesman said.

International arrivals at Sydney airport were delayed by up to four hours, and many domestic flights were delayed by about one hour.

Forecasters said some parts of the state could receive more than  100mm of rain in coming days, and the good news is that some of that rain will reach the catchment areas.

Significant falls are expected over the Sydney and Illawarra catchment areas tomorrow and Saturday, with as much as 50mm likely to increase dam levels.

Unfortunately for the ski resorts, no snowfalls are expected for the opening weekend of the ski season.

However, snowmakers have been working for the past couple of weeks, and the Thredbo and Perisher resorts are opening for snowboarding and skiing this weekend.

"We have had a combination of natural snowfalls and a cold snap which has allowed snow making for the last three weeks," a Perisher spokeswoman said.

"The cold temperatures are forecast to continue, and we expect more natural snowfalls early next week."

Natural snow depth has been recorded at 20.3 centimetres at Perisher.

典

不爽，不能出去玩了