Heatwave to Trigger Thunderstorms, Risking Blackouts and Flash Floods in Eastern Australia
Heatwave to Trigger Thunderstorms, Risking Blackouts and Flash Floods in Eastern Australia
A heatwave is set to give way to thunderstorms in eastern Australia, posing risks of heavy rainfall and blackouts. The heat may strain power supplies in New South Wales and Queensland, with 6 gigawatts of coal-fired power plant capacity offline for maintenance. A cut-off low pressure system over South Australia will combine with a trough over eastern NSW to create 'perfect ingredients' for volatile thunderstorms as the heatwave ebbs. Areas could well pick up more than 100mm of rainfall in the coming days.