After a weekend of intense heat, southeastern states are forecast to get smashed by a rain downpour and wintry temperatures.
Temperatures climbed to 36C in some parts of Sydney on Sunday, with hot winds stirring up the fire danger in large parts of NSW.
It’s not unusual for spring to bring wild weather, but the seesawing temperatures are sure to be a shock to the system for east coasters after the weekend’s heat.
A cold front is forecast to blast across the country from Western Australia, touching down in South Australia on Tuesday, Weatherzone reports.
Rain and powerful winds are expected to hit inland South Australia, NSW and Victoria over the coming days, with gusts at speeds of more than 100km/h possible in the Alpine regions.
Severe thunderstorms are forecast to brew over central NSW on Wednesday and move east towards the coast by the afternoon.
Sydney and coastal parts of the state will likely be hit during the afternoon, with heavy rainfall expected from all the way down to the south coast and eastern Victoria.
More than 100mm could fall in northeast Victoria and southern NSW.
Cold southwesterly winds will push across South Australia, Victoria and western NSW, with temperatures set to plummet below the monthly average.
By Thursday, the weather system will deepen off East Gippsland and the NSW south coast, bringing more heavy showers and gale-force southwesterly winds.
“Storm force” winds are possible over the sea and the exposed coast, keeping temperatures low to the end of the week.
Up to 100mm of rain is forecast to fall over East Gippsland.
However, the cold snap will not last long and by the middle of next week, temperatures will climb once again to the mid-20s in NSW and South Australia.