Why are there so many storms in Australia right now? Ex-Tropical Cyclone Fina is drawing massive tropical moisture into eastern Australia, combining with heat and atmospheric instability to create severe thunderstorms every day this week across Queensland and NSW.
If you’re asking “why is the weather so bad in Australia?” or “what’s causing storms in Queensland and NSW?” – the answer lies in Ex-Tropical Cyclone Fina, currently positioned north of the Kimberley.
What is Ex-Tropical Cyclone Fina doing?
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Fina is acting like a massive moisture pump, drawing humid tropical air from across northern Australia and funneling it into Queensland and New South Wales. This creates the perfect conditions for severe thunderstorm outbreaks when combined with two other factors:
- Tropical moisture from Ex-Cyclone Fina provides the fuel
- Warm to hot temperatures across eastern states provide energy
- Atmospheric troughs provide the trigger for storm development
How long will the storm outbreak last in eastern Australia?
The severe thunderstorm outbreak has already affected eastern Australia for five consecutive days this week. Weather models show the pattern continuing through Thursday before a brief break on Friday. However, storms are expected to redevelop on Saturday as systems move in from inland areas.
Where are storms expected in Australia today?
Today’s severe thunderstorm risk extends from:
- Northern tropical Queensland (heavy rainfall primary concern)
- Central and eastern Queensland (heavy rain and damaging winds)
- Northeastern New South Wales (giant hail and destructive winds possible)
Tomorrow (Thursday), the severe storm zone shifts to:
- Southeast Queensland coast including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast
- Northeast corner of NSW
- Areas south to around Rockhampton
Is this unusual weather for Australia in November?
While severe thunderstorms are normal for late spring in eastern Australia, the persistence of this particular pattern is noteworthy. Having all the right ingredients for severe weather align day after day for nearly a week is less common than single severe weather events.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s water vapor satellite imagery clearly shows the extensive moisture plume from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Fina stretching across northern Australia and extending deep into eastern states.
What are the dangers from these storms?
The eastern Australia storm outbreak is producing multiple hazards:
- Giant hail (over 5cm diameter) causing property and vehicle damage
- Destructive winds (over 125km/h) bringing down trees and power lines
- Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding
- Power outages affecting thousands of homes
- Hazardous driving conditions from flooding and reduced visibility
Residents across eastern Queensland and NSW should continue monitoring Bureau of Meteorology warnings and radar throughout the week at bom.gov.au.