Weather in Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth: Cyclone and rain forecast

Australia is bracing for a wild week of extreme weather, in which sweltering heat will give way to torrential rain and the threat of a major tropical cyclone.

Every state across the country is set to be hit by a deluge in the coming days, with an extraordinary radar picture on Sunday predicting rain across nearly every inch of the continent.

Only a small area in the outback will be spared from the downpour.

Despite the wet weather and intense thunderstorm warnings, hot and sweaty temperatures are forecast as warning air is drawn from the interior ahead of an approaching cold front at sea.

This rain map shows that Australia will experience downpours across all states and territories on Sunday

Pedestrians brave the rain and cold on January 6, 2023 in Sydney’s CBD

“Mercury is likely to hit the mid to high 30’s in Adelaide and Melbourne on Tuesday and could also hit the low 30’s in Hobart, Canberra and Sydney on Tuesday or Wednesday,” Weatherzone’s Ben Domensino said.

“This week could be Sydney’s first day above 30C since February 2021, ending the city’s second longest stretch without a day above 30C in records dating back to 1859.”

Farther north, much of northern Queensland, already cut off from flood waters, continues to be bombarded with heavy rains from a massive low-pressure area that sits on the sea.

“Although it is too early to know how these lows will behave, starting around Thursday there is an increased risk of tropical cyclones developing in and around the Coral Sea,” Mr. Domensino said.

The Bureau of Meteorology recently warned all Queenslanders to be on high alert for cyclones until May.

Sydney, where these two go for a stroll on Bondi Beach, could see its first day above 30C in almost a year

Southern capitals will see sweltering heat for the next few days before a cold front brings storms and showers

Disaster management and response expert Professor Iain MacKenzie said while wetter-than-normal weather patterns on La Nina continue to decrease, the risk of devastating cyclones is rising dramatically.

“If you live anywhere along the Queensland coast you should expect cyclonic conditions at some point, they’re moving further south,” Mr MacKenzie told the Courier Mail.

“We shouldn’t be too worried or excited when the conditions are in place for a certain number of cyclones because it only takes one to cause devastation, be prepared each season.

“Know what the cyclone ratings are and what your home can withstand, know where you will be going in the event of a cyclone, how to get there and let friends and family know if you are staying with them. ‘

An independent inquiry is looking into Melbourne’s Maribyrnong River flooding in 2022 (pictured), with the city expected to see more rain in the coming days

Townsville residents are showing all the rain the region is receiving is at an advantage and bucketing is set to continue

Meanwhile, if the cold front moves south in the coming days, severe thunderstorms are possible across south Australia, Victoria and south-west NSW.

Canberra and Sydney could get the brunt of the storms on Wednesday night.

Western Australia and the Northern Territory must also expect heavy rain and storms in the next few days.

“Rain and thunderstorms will continue over northern parts of Qld, NT and WA for the first half of this week as a broad low-pressure trough lingers over northern Australia,” Mr Domensino said.

“This rain and storm activity will continue to spread across Western Australia in the middle of the week as tropical moisture enters a deepening trough near the country’s west coast.”