Sydney, Brisbane in firing line for thunderstorms as temperatures plunge

Millions of Australians are bracing for a stormy start to next week, with thunderstorms forecast to sweep across eastern states before a cold snap sends temperatures plunging.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned Sydney and Brisbane could face their most significant storm activity on Tuesday, as a band of rain moves across central Australia and into the eastern states.

Sydney is expected to reach 33C on Monday before temperatures drop to a maximum of just 20C later in the week.

A bureau spokesman said widespread thunderstorms were likely across NSW and Queensland on Monday and Tuesday.

“For the populated coastal part of the country, including Sydney and Brisbane, Tuesday could be the main storm day with the highest risk and the biggest impact,” the spokesman said.

The forecast follows an earlier outbreak of rain and thunderstorms across central Australia, with severe weather possible in parts of South Australia and the Northern Territory on Friday.

Senior meteorologist David Crock warned severe thunderstorms could develop around Alice Springs, bringing the risk of damaging winds.

“Severe thunderstorms are possible around Alice Springs, so damaging winds possible there in storms, so keep an eye out for that,” he said.

He also warned severe storms were possible around Whyalla and Port Augusta in South Australia, while Adelaide was forecast to receive 15 to 20mm of rain on Friday.

Another band of rain is expected to develop over central Australia on Sunday night before spreading into the eastern states on Monday.

Further south, a cold front is forecast to cross Victoria and Tasmania on Tuesday, bringing rain and cooler conditions.

Temperatures could fall as much as 10C below average in parts of southern Australia on Wednesday and Thursday, with the possibility of late-season frost.

Melbourne could reach 24C on Sunday before dropping to just 14C on Wednesday.

Weatherzone has warned the prolonged storm outbreak could produce severe thunderstorms, bringing damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain capable of causing flash flooding.