A mini tornado has struck a town on the NSW South Coast, as much of the state’s eastern and southern regions brace for rain, wind and storms for the October break.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the rare weather phenomenon was seen in Ulladulla about 1pm.
A rare tornado was seen in Ulladulla, NSW as wild weather hit. Wishaya La Spina
Rain is heading for much of Sydney. Damien McCartney
The bureau warned of severe thunderstorms, hail and damaging wind from the Illawarra and South East Coast, extending into the ranges and Tablelands including Sydney.
Footage shows what appears to be a tornado passing through a built-up area.
Multiple warnings were issued for rain and thunderstorms.
By 4pm,the NSW SES received more than 81 calls for help including trees and powerlines down.
Conditions are expected to clear in time for Sunday evening’s NRL Grand Final kickoff at Sydney Olympic Park at 7.30pm, with maximum temperatures hovering around 23 to 24 degrees.
Canberra faces a similarly wet weekend, with lingering showers and a potential Saturday storm before clearing for a cool, foggy holiday Monday with tops of 21 degrees.
Predicted rainfall accumulation across Australia from this Friday through to 11am (AEDT) on Monday. Weatherzone
Melbourne will gradually ease into clearer weather after a soggy end to the week, though a threat of thunderstorms remains on Saturday with a top of 19 degrees before dropping to a cool 16 degrees on Sunday.
Hobart will stay fairly typical for early October, keeping near its seasonal average with a dry 17 degrees on Saturday and a top of 16 degrees with late showers on Sunday.
The nation is in for a mixed bag of weather ahead of the long weekend. Weatherzone
On the contrary, northern capitals are set to enjoy the best of the weather, with Brisbane staying mostly dry under sunny skies and highs reaching 27 degrees.
Darwin will see mostly dry conditions with maximums hitting 34 degrees on Saturday and 33 degrees on Sunday ahead of a slight chance of a late evening shower.
In Adelaide, mostly sunny skies will extend into holiday Monday with highs around 19 degrees to 20 degrees.
Perth will peak near its October average with 24 degrees on Saturday before a passing southern cold front brings southwesterly winds and drops Sunday’s high to a cooler 21 degrees.