Bom Weather: Severe storms hit northern NSW and southeast QLD as coastal trough delivers intense rain

bom weather has translated into intense, slow-moving thunderstorms across northeast New South Wales and southeast Queensland, producing very heavy rain, localised flash flooding and multiple severe thunderstorm warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

What Happens When Bom Weather Brings Intense Coastal Storms?

Slow-moving showers and thunderstorms associated with a coastal trough moved over the Northern Rivers district on Friday morning and early afternoon. Some morning storms produced very large short-term totals: Byron Bay recorded 75 mm of rain in one hour, while coastal gauges at Coopers Shoot and Belongil Creek registered more than 100 mm in three hours. The gauge at Belongil Creek also registered 75 mm in one hour. Ballina received 86 mm in the three hours up to 12: 15pm AEDT.

• Byron Bay: 75 mm in one hour (intense rainfall caused flash flooding)
• Belongil Creek and Coopers Shoot: more than 100 mm in three hours; Belongil Creek 75 mm in one hour
• Ballina: 86 mm in the three hours up to 12: 15pm AEDT
• Upper Springbrook (southeast Qld): 29 mm in one hour around lunchtime

These intense cells were sufficient to cause flash flooding in some areas, including Byron Bay, and prompted the Bureau of Meteorology to issue a severe thunderstorm warning for heavy rainfall that remained active into the afternoon. Heavy showers and thunderstorms also spread into southeast Queensland, where a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for parts of the state shortly after 1pm AEST.

How Does This Pattern Evolve and What Should Communities Expect?

The most intense rain and thunderstorm activity was expected to focus on southeast Queensland through the afternoon and night, while conditions were forecast to ease in northeast New South Wales as the system shifted. Forecasters indicated drier weather would return to both regions from the weekend as the rain and storms moved further north with the low pressure trough. Further severe thunderstorm warnings may be issued as the situation develops.

Local impacts seen during this episode were driven by slow storm motion and concentrated coastal convection. Short-duration, high-rate rainfall produced rapid runoff and flash flooding in vulnerable coastal catchments. The sequence of events underlines how quickly conditions can deteriorate during a coastal trough with slow-moving thunderstorms.

What Should Residents and Services Take from This bom weather Episode?

Residents in affected districts were advised to heed warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology, be alert for sudden river rises and flash flooding in low-lying areas, and prepare for possible power and transport disruptions during heavy cells. Emergency services and local authorities faced short windows to respond to rapidly changing conditions when storms produced extreme hourly totals.

As this event shifted north into southeast Queensland, the immediate risk in northeast New South Wales eased, while southeast Queensland remained the focal point for the most intense activity into the evening. Drier conditions were expected to return over the weekend as the trough moved away.

While uncertainties remain in exact storm tracks and local totals, the core facts are clear: intense coastal thunderstorms produced extreme short-duration rainfall, triggered flash flooding in Byron Bay and prompted multiple severe thunderstorm warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology. Communities should monitor official warnings and prepare for similar bursts of heavy rain in the short term as this bom weather episode continues to evolve.