The Department of Meteorology has issued an orange weather warning for heavy rain from 7pm on Wednesday until 5am on Thursday, with rainfall intensity expected to reach 55 to 70 millimetres an hour and variable winds.
Wednesday
The weather will be mostly cloudy, with isolated showers or a thunderstorm at first, mainly in the west and the mountains. By late afternoon, rain and local thunderstorms are expected, starting in the west and gradually spreading to other areas. In places they will be heavy or prolonged. Hail is possible where storms hit, and winds may become variable with strong gusts.
Winds will at first be mainly southeasterly, light to moderate at 3 to 4 Beaufort, later turning mainly southwesterly, moderate to strong at 4 to 5 Beaufort and locally very strong at 6 Beaufort. The sea will be slight to moderate at first, becoming moderate to rough.
Temperatures will rise to around 26C inland and on the coast, and 16C on the higher mountains.
Thursday
The weather will be mostly cloudy at first, with local showers and isolated thunderstorms, gradually easing.
Friday
The weather will be partly cloudy, with isolated showers and thunderstorms at times.
Saturday
The weather will be partly cloudy, with possible isolated showers, mainly in the mountains.
Temperatures will remain at the same levels, which are below the seasonal average.
