NSW, Victoria and Tasmania in firing line for heavy rain, wind, possible flash flooding

Three states on the east coast are warned to expect severe rain and damaging winds as a strong cold front makes its way over parts of Australia.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania today, with each state forecast to see heavy rainfall, strong gusts and possible thunderstorms and flash flooding.

“We are expecting quite an unstable day and there is a risk of thunderstorms all the way from Melbourne through much inland New South Wales,” Bureau of Meteorology’s Jonathon How said.

It comes as the cold front moves from South Australia this afternoon to New South Wales and Victoria this evening and Tasmania tomorrow morning.

In New South Wales, western parts will be hit by the front tonight before it moves to central parts tomorrow morning.

Residents in the Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Riverina, Snowy Mountains and the Australian Capital Territory are warned to be prepared for up to 80mm of rainfall and damaging gusts of up to 130 km/h.

Victoria is in line to also feel the cold front tonight before it travels to northeast parts of the state tomorrow morning.

Those in the North East and parts of Central, East Gippsland, Northern Country, North Central and West and South Gippsland are set to see up to 80mm of rainfall and gusts of up to 110 km/h.

Conditions in both states are expected to ease below the warning level by late afternoon or evening tomorrow.

The cold front will then move over Tasmania’s Furneaux Islands, North East, Central North and parts of East Coast, North West Coast, Central Plateau and Midlands.

Up to 80mm of rain is forecast for some parts and gusts of up to 100 km/h.

The cold front is expected to move across the state by tomorrow afternoon, allowing conditions to ease.

Those in areas under warning are advised to avoid travel if possible, avoid dangerous hazards like floodwater, stay away from fallen powerlines and stay indoors.

In case of flash flooding, residents are urged to seek refuge at the highest place.