Showers and thunderstorms will spread over parts of New South Wales and Queensland this weekend as a large low pressure trough crosses eastern Australia.

The satellite image below shows a large cloudband sitting over central and southern Australia on Friday. This cloudband, which indicates the position of the trough, has caused widespread showers and thunderstorms over parts of SA and the NT this Friday.

As the trough moves east on Friday night into Saturday, showers and storms will spread over NSW and Queensland from west to east.

Storms are likely to remain active as the trough moves east on Friday night. Sydney has a chance of thunderstorms on Saturday morning, with the risk easing from the afternoon. Southeast Queensland, including Brisbane, could see storms on Saturday afternoon and evening.

While the trough will have weakened by Sunday, some lingering instability may cause further showers and thunderstorms over parts of southern Queensland and northern NSW. Another developing trough will also cause rain and storms to redevelop over central and southern Australia on Sunday.

Image: Forecast accumulated rain during the 72 hours ending at 11pm AEDT on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Source: Weatherzone.

Stormy weather continues next week

Looking ahead to next week, computer models suggest that further wet and stormy weather will affect parts of central, eastern and southeastern Australia between Monday and Wednesday.

Some models indicate a potential heightened risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of NSW and Qld in the first half of next week. This increased instability is associated with a cold front that will clip the country’s southeast on Tuesday and Wednesday, possibly delivering a burst of spring snow to the mountains in Tasmania, Victoria and NSW.

With multiple thunderstorm days on the cards during the coming week and a risk of severe storms in several states, be sure to check the latest forecasts and warnings in your area for the most up-to-date information.