A widespread cold front is expected to bring severe thunderstorms to parts of eastern Australia on Good Friday, and usher in a wintery Easter weekend.

Late on Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology warned Victoria, the eastern coast of New South Wales and south-east Queensland would see potentially severe thunderstorms on Friday afternoon, bringing a risk of flash flooding, fallen trees and powerlines, and large hail.

Saturday appears to be at lower risk of storms, but will still bring cool and windy conditions, particularly for Tasmania, southern Victoria, elevated parts of NSW, and parts of south-east South Australia.

Although conditions will largely clear up by Sunday morning, showers will continue across Tasmania and southern Victoria, and may come with hail going into Monday.

BoM senior meteorologist Sarah Scully said maximum temperatures are likely to be well below average for the Easter long weekend.

Southern states are in for a series of cold fronts which will bring cold, wet and windy conditions.

NSW and ACT

“Showers and thunderstorms are forecast across eastern and southern [NSW] on Friday, with the potential for severe storms along the east coast and adjacent mountain ranges, bringing damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain,” Ms Scully said.

“Showers are forecast in the south on Saturday, contracting to the ranges on Sunday, before becoming dry throughout on Monday.

“Hazardous surf conditions are forecast to develop on the south and central coast during Sunday, extending to the north coast on Monday.”

Sydney residents will face a shower or two and a possible storm on Friday, but the weather will be mostly sunny for the rest of the weekend.

Maximum temperatures in the city will sit in the low to mid-20s, and Easter Sunday will be 21 degrees Celsius and sunny.

Canberra should brace for significantly cooler weather, with 15 degrees forecast for Easter Sunday, after showers and a possibly severe thunderstorm on Friday.

Victoria

Widespread showers are forecast for Friday and Saturday, while Sunday will be mostly cloudy with scattered or isolated showers.

Melbourne will see rain continue throughout the entire long weekend and into the following week. The expected maximum temperature for Friday is 19 degrees, and that will drop to 15 degrees on Easter Sunday.

South Australia

A wet, cold and windy Friday and Saturday is forecast for South Australia, but sunny breaks will develop on Sunday and Monday.

Temperatures will remain well below average over the long weekend for the state.

Adelaide will see showers throughout the weekend. Monday should be cloudy, with a chance of showers. The city’s top temperature for Friday is forecast to be 21 degrees, with Easter Sunday tipped to be 18 degrees.

Queensland

“Severe thunderstorms are possible for south-east Queensland on Good Friday, before settling down to drier conditions for much of the state from Saturday,” Ms Scully said.

“Temperatures will be above average on Friday, contracting to the east from Saturday.”

Brisbane residents will see showers and a possible storm on Friday, and it will be sunny for the rest of the long weekend, although Saturday will be windy. The maximum temperature will be 30 degrees on Saturday and Easter Sunday will be 29 degrees.

Tasmania

Morning rain and possible thunderstorms, mainly over the northern half of the state, is forecast for Friday.

Cooler south-westerly winds will persist on Saturday and Sunday, along with possible morning or evening snowfalls at about 900 metres.

Consistent rain and strong winds across the entire Easter long weekend are forecast for Hobart, with a top temperature of 21 degrees on Friday and 13 degrees on Easter Sunday.

Northern Territory

Cooler south-easterly winds will develop across the Northern Territory’s southern and central districts over the weekend.

Moisture will gradually increase in the north, resulting in more showers and thunderstorms from Friday onwards.

Darwin will sweat through a sticky combination of hot weather, showers and possible thunderstorms over the Easter long weekend. The top temperature is forecast to be 32 degrees every day, including Easter Sunday.

Western Australia

Friday and Saturday will see more showers and gusty thunderstorms for much of the state, mainly over the Pilbara, inland and north-east Gascoyne and Kimberley.

Perth may have a shower on Friday, followed by mostly sunny weather for the rest of the long weekend.

Temperatures will be well below maximum averages with a high of 26 degrees on Saturday followed by 27 degrees on Easter Sunday.

Note: Weather conditions can change rapidly. Keep up to date with the latest weather warnings and forecasts through official weather sources.