New South Wales (NSW) is preparing for a weekend of wild and wet weather, with potential flooding, following heavy rainfall in some areas exceeding 100 millimetres over the past week.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts that the Illawarra, Hunter, Central Coast, and Greater Sydney regions could experience similar triple-digit rainfall totals on the night of May 4 and throughout May 5.
Senior Meteorologist Angus Hines warned of significant impacts such as flooding, blocked drains, closed roads, and heavy traffic on Sunday.
Rainfall data from the bureau revealed that Observatory Hill received nearly 53 millimetres of rain from April 29 to May 3, with some areas recording over 100 millimetres for the week.
Despite the inclement weather, the Sydney Half Marathon is scheduled to proceed on May 5 with over 19,500 registered runners. Organizers are monitoring the situation closely.
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“At this stage there are no indications that any changes will need to be made to the event,” stated a spokesperson.
“Athletes are advised to prepare for a wet race and adapt to the conditions. The team remains confident that the event will proceed as planned.”
Thunderstorm warnings are in effect for the central and northern inland areas of the state, with slow-moving storms anticipated to bring heavy localized rainfall and a risk of flash flooding.
The NSW State Emergency Service is monitoring forecasts closely and readying resources and personnel for potential emergencies.
