Australia faces severe storm threat across eastern states

A severe weather front is sweeping across eastern and southeastern Australia, bringing threats of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and damaging winds. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings for multiple capital cities as a cold front meets warm, humid air.

Melbourne and parts of Victoria are currently facing risks of intense thunderstorms, with meteorologist Angus Hines noting that a follow-up band of storms could pack a significant punch. Destructive winds exceeding 125km/h are possible, which may bring down large trees or cause property damage. There is also a risk of flash flooding in certain areas.

The storm system is expected to move east, impacting Canberra and inland New South Wales before reaching the east coast on Sunday. The threat extends to the NSW coast near Wollongong and the Illawarra, as well as southern Queensland. On Sunday, the focus is expected to shift toward Brisbane, where heavy rain and storms are forecast for the afternoon and early evening.