Rain expected across most of Australia as major weather system moves in

A significant rain-bearing cloudband is developing over Australia and is expected to spread rainfall across nearly the entire continent through the weekend.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and local meteorologists report that the northwest cloudband enhanced by tropical moisture and a succession of low-pressure systems may impact 80% of the country by July 27.

The first front began affecting parts of Western Australia (WA), South Australia (SA), Victoria (VIC), and New South Wales (NSW) earlier this week. Rainfall totals from this initial system reached 35 mm (1.4 inches) in parts of the WA coast and 22 mm (0.87 inches) in the Wheatbelt region.

A second, stronger low-pressure system is forecast to intensify from July 24–26, forming a more coherent inland rainband. This phase will deliver widespread precipitation across agricultural zones, particularly southern SA, northwest VIC, inland NSW, and parts of Queensland (QLD) and Tasmania (TAS).

Rainfall totals are expected to reach 25–50 mm (1–2 inches), with isolated areas likely to exceed 80 mm (3.15 inches).

The most recent outlooks from Weatherzone and BOM suggest that southern and southeastern regions including the Murray Basin and the Mount Lofty Ranges could receive their heaviest July rainfall in four years. Many of these regions have experienced below-average rainfall since April 2023, placing this system in a potentially drought-relieving context.

Alpine regions including Perisher and Charlotte Pass are forecast to receive over 50 cm (20 inches) of new snow. This would bring total snowpack to over 2 m (6.6 feet) in some locations, one of the deepest snow totals recorded this century.

Meanwhile, the eastern seaboard, still recovering from a June system that produced over 300 mm (11.8 inches) in three days in parts of the Illawarra and South Coast, is also under observation. Although forecast rainfall there is expected to be lower than in central and southern Australia, localized flooding risks remain due to saturated soils.

Strong winds are also associated with the advancing systems. Wind gusts exceeded 100 km/h (62 mph) in Victoria’s alpine regions, peaking at 150 km/h (93 mph) at Mount Hotham, with similar gust potential forecast for exposed parts of SA, VIC, and TAS in the coming days.

Rainfall is expected to continue into early next week, with a third front likely to approach WA over the weekend, potentially bringing renewed rainfall across western and central Australia. Long-range forecasts suggest a continuation of wetter-than-average conditions through August and September, especially across eastern and southern states.

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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