‘Significant change’: Rain band to drench multiple states

Australia’s southeast looks set to be lashed with heavy rain and severe winds as a low-pressure system moves in. Following a temporary reprieve of warm weather, a rain band is set to spread from South Australia into Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT over the next few days. Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharpe said the change will be “significant” after a touch of warmth on Thursday. “We’ve enjoyed this spring-like warmth that’s as much as nine degrees above average today in parts of South Australia and Victoria, so we’ve got some considerable spring like weather at the moment,” he said. “That’s much warmer than usual for this time of the year, the northerly still dragging that heat down into the south.” However, he warned conditions will begin to cool on Thursday with a front rolling through, bringing wet weather. “Right now, the showers are mainly in southwestern parts of Victoria, but looking through the rest of today, the wet weather will build, particularly for Tasmania and South Australia,” he said. “A band of rain starting to settle in tonight across those southern regions, and then into tomorrow, that main rain band will sweep out and across the south east more broadly, maybe with some thunderstorms attached to it as well, and colder weather in behind in those westerly winds. “So a significant change starting to move through the south east.” Mr Sharpe added ski fields will mostly see rain this week as the air remains too warm, though slopes above 1800m may see some flurries. “But for the lower slopes, it’s all going to be rain this weekend,” he said. “A strong front will hit the west coast on Saturday. It will still be wet and windy and colder for the southwest on Sunday, with some showers lingering for the south east over the weekend.” There’s a chance rain could clear up in Sydney on Friday before possible showers on Saturday, with a top of 22C into the weekend.Melbourne is tipped for a top of 18C over the next few days, though rain and possible thunderstorms are expected to lash the state well into next week. Rainy conditions are set to clear up in time for the weekend in Brisbane with a top of 29C, while Perth is in for a top of 21C with rain and possible thunderstorms across the weekend and into next week. Adelaide is also expected to cop wet weather with a maximum temperature of 24C over the next few days. Hobart is set to reach a top of 17C with rain expected all through the weekend. Canberra is expected to hit a high of 19C with showers forecast for the next few days, while Darwin is tipped for sunny skies and a top of 33C over the weekend.