Cold front brings hail and snow to east coast this weekend

A cold snap is set to impact Australia's south-east this weekend, bringing cool winds and rain from Tasmania to Brisbane starting Friday evening. Victoria will experience chilly weather, with Melbourne anticipating up to 10mm of rain and possible hail, as daytime temperatures drop to around 12C. Eastern New South Wales will also see showers and brisk winds, affecting participants in the Sydney marathon on Sunday, with rain expected to clear by Monday. Tasmania has already felt the effects of the cold airmass, with forecasts indicating showery and windy conditions, including snow at altitudes as low as 200m. Hobart is predicted to receive up to 7mm of rain and small hailstones, with temperatures remaining below 11C. Meanwhile, central and western Australia will experience a warm, windy weekend, raising the risk of bushfires in those regions. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that many eastern areas face an increased risk of severe storms and flash flooding until January, alongside potential extreme heat and bushfires. Climate models suggest above-average rainfall for the eastern states over the coming months, particularly in Tasmania, which is at heightened risk for riverine flooding. As the high-risk weather season progresses, the Bureau, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency, is preparing for potential disasters. They are closely monitoring soil moisture levels and rainfall patterns, which could lead to fewer dust storms but an increased likelihood of severe storms and east-coast lows, particularly in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales.