New South Wales and Queensland residents have been warned to expect more severe weather on Boxing Day, with thunderstorms and rain forecast in many areas, while severe weather may also threaten the first day of the Test against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Thousands of homes in south-east Queensland were still without power on Tuesday morning after severe storms swept through on Christmas Day.
Volatile weather conditions were expected to continue on Tuesday and Wednesday in NSW after large parts of the state experienced giant hail, heavy rainfall and flash flooding on Christmas Day, including in the central west, the Riverina, the south coast, Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter.
Sydney to Hobart sailors have been warned to brace for choppy conditions as thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast for Australia’s biggest boat race. The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast wild conditions for the yachts, including heavy rainfall, lightning, poor visibility and potentially hail.
The State Emergency Service said volunteers had responded to 312 incidents, on top of 492 recorded on Christmas Eve.
Residents at Grenfell were treated to something like a white Christmas, as hail blanketed the town shortly after noon. The NSW SES assistant commissioner Sean Kearns said there were numerous reports of property damage, including “broken skylights, parts of roofs, broken windows, and damaged vehicles”.
Hail was also seen in Orange and Yass, and on parts of the coast.
Parts of Sydney and the south-east of the state had heavy rain on Monday, with 156mm falling in three hours at Eurobadalla, resulting in local flooding.
The SES crews carried out flood rescues at Albion Park, Kiama, the southern tablelands and Bemboka, near Bega.
In Queensland the Bureau of Meteorology said damaging winds, heavy rainfall and large hail were again likely on Tuesday between Mackay and the Sunshine Coast, and possible south of Charters Towers.
Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms were also predicted over eastern, northern and far northern Queensland.
Severe heatwave conditions were expected to continue in the northern interior and north-west, with maximum temperatures above average.
Brisbane also had the chance of a severe thunderstorm but could mostly expect showers, with a maximum temperature of 33C predicted.
In the far north, the clean-up and repairs after ex-tropical cyclone Jasper and severe flooding continue. Twelve homes have been confirmed destroyed, 126 properties are severely damaged and 554 moderately so.
Almost 9,000 residents have received financial assistance payments.
Flood warnings remain in place for the Barcoo, Paroo and Burnett rivers, with a flood watch for parts of the Cape York Peninsula.
People visiting the north in coming days have been advised to plan ahead, as some roads remain blocked.
“Landslides north of the Daintree River have created at least 2,500 truckloads of debris which is yet to be cleared,” said Douglas shire council’s acting chief executive, Scott Mason.
“We are encouraging tourists and travellers to take extra care when driving in more rural areas and look out for fallen and loose vegetation.”
Sections of the Captain Cook Highway from Cairns to Mossman continue to be cut off but access is available through Mareeba.
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