Parts of Australia’s east coast could see rain every day next week as onshore winds combine with abnormally warm seas, with both Sydney and Brisbane in line for a string of wet days.

The start of May has been largely dry for most of Australia's east coast thanks to frequent offshore winds and a predominantly stable atmosphere.

This weather pattern will change next week as a high pressure system moving over the Tasman Sea directs easterly winds towards Australia’s east coast.

Next week’s weather pattern is not expected to cause widespread heavy rain, but it will pepper eastern parts of New South Wales and Queensland with daily showers.

The persistent showery weather will be fuelled by abnormally warm water sitting off the country’s east coast. Warmer water causes more evaporation, which puts more moisture into the atmosphere to generate rainfall.

Water temperatures at the surface of the Tasman Sea are currently more than 3°C above average off the south coast of NSW and to the east of Bass Strait. Sea surface temperatures are also about half a degree warmer than usual over the western Coral Sea, to the east of Qld. These warm waters will help cause rain next week as onshore winds develop.

It’s tricky to predict rainfall totals when onshore winds are the primary driver of rainfall. Some areas could see 10-20 mm falling over a few days, while others will see much lower totals.

On a week like this, with a chance of showers each day, it’s a good idea to have an umbrella or raincoat handy throughout the week. You can also check the latest forecasts each day to see how likely rain is in your area and track current rainfall using a radar viewer.

Image: Forecast accumulated rain during the next seven days. Source: Weatherzone.

Away from the east coast, rain and thunderstorms are also likely to develop across other areas of northern, central and southeastern Australia next week as a deepening low pressure trough interacts with moisture-laden air.

Parts of southwestern Australia should also see showers as a series of cold fronts affect the region.