Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne weather: Storms and heavy rain smashes Australia and the wild weather isn't over just yet

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By TESS IKONOMOU FOR AAP and KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: 08:15 EDT, 12 January 2025 | Updated: 10:37 EDT, 12 January 2025

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A weekend of wild weather has drenched large swathes of Australia as most states brace for severe thunderstorms, strong winds and flash flooding.

Six states and territories are on weather watch with storms forecast for Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, which are also set to develop across NSW and the ACT.

Intense and heavy rain blanketed larges swathes of Queensland on Sunday with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing multiple flood watches for the south-east region and surrounding catchments.

Wild weather havoc stretched right down Australia east coast, with heavy downpours causing washouts on day one of the Australian Open tennis grand slam in Melbourne as players and spectators ducked for cover.

City streets became inundated with water after 25mm fell in just half an hour with the SES called to 165 jobs.

More rain is forecast for Melbourne on Monday but storms will have a a hit and miss nature to them before warming up later in the week, according to Weatherzone.

Storms will likely bring heavy, locally intense rainfall to Tasmania's north-west coast and central plateau, which could lead to life-threatening flash flooding. A moderate flood warning is in place for the South Esk River.

In Victoria, strong winds and flash flooding are also possible with thunderstorms in the central and eastern regions.

A heavy downpour refused the dampen spirits at the Australian Open on Sunday

Larges swathes Australia's east coast from Far North Queensland right down to Tasmania will cop another soaking on Monday. Areas in dark blue will see the heaviest falls

Aussies warned to avoid these popular beaches as water is deemed unsafe

Winds of almost 100km/h were recorded at East Sale Airport in the Gippsland region on Sunday afternoon.

In NSW, a severe thunderstorm warning of damaging winds and heavy rain has been issued for the Central Tablelands, North-west Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains and the Hunter on Monday.

In Queensland's south-east, minor flood warnings are in place for the Bremer River and Warrill Creek, Burrum River and Mary River, while a flood warning has been issued for the Logan River.

Wind gusts of 106km/h were observed at Hughenden on Sunday afternoon.

Residents took to social media to post videos of flooding across roads and in town centres across the South Burnett region.

'We've got broad risks of severe thunderstorms stretching all the way from Townsville down to Brisbane,' senior meteorologist Angus Hines told AAP.

'Another very active day likely to bring some further weather impact, flash flooding, road closures, possible damage to trees, property, crops, as well as potential for power outages.'

Queensland has copped the brunt of the wild weather in recent days. Pictured is a car driving through large puddles as a result of heavy rainfall in Brisbane on Saturday

Mr Hines said while the central Queensland coast had the highest flood risk, the risk for all other regions should not be downplayed.

'Flash flooding would happen very quickly if further rainfall fell in those places because of how wet it has been - the ground can't really soak up a lot more rain,' he said.

The bureau forecasts showers and storms to continue into the week, and although the intensity is expected to come down a couple of notches, severe weather remains a risk into Wednesday.