Easter is set to be soggy for millions of Australians as they head on a break as the country’s east is set to be hit by a ‘very dangerous supercell’ across the long weekend.
Good Friday marks the beginning of the four-day long weekend plus school holidays in several states, making it one of the busiest travel days of the year.
However, those planning to hit the road or board a flight on the east coast have been warned to stay alert as severe storms develop in the afternoon and early evening.
‘An upper-level trough passing over southeastern Australia on Friday will cause the atmosphere to become unstable and primed for severe thunderstorms,’ Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino said.
‘This volatile weather pattern will result in widespread showers and thunderstorms over central and southeast Queensland, eastern and southern NSW, the ACT and Victoria.’
Eastern Australia is set to be hit by a ‘very dangerous supercell’ on Good Friday (pictured, the severe weather warning zone)
Storms are forecast to hit Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane from Friday afternoon
Mr Domensino explained the upcoming storms are particularly dangerous because the system will combine with cold air.
‘While any widespread outbreak of thunderstorms is dangerous, this Friday’s dynamic weather pattern will feature an unusually cold pool of upper-level air and a high amount of vertical wind shear – a large change in wind speed and direction with height.
‘These factors increase the likelihood of large-to-giant hail and damaging-to-destructive winds.’
All four capital in the east – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra – are expected to see storms form in the afternoon before clearing heading into Saturday.
Melbourne may only see heavy showers on Friday afternoon but a possible storm could form later in the evening.
Unfortunately for those hoping to spend the long weekend outside, the wet weather is forecast to hang around the Victorian capital with showers forecast through to Tuesday.
Similarly, Canberra is forecast to see showers on Friday afternoon before a possible storm sets in during the evening.
But the weather is looking up for Canberrans after that with the rain set to ease by Saturday.
Brisbane is forecast to see a storm on Friday before the weather clears for sunny conditions and temperatures around 30C.
Sydney is set to see a maximum temperature of 24C on Friday and sunny conditions on Saturday with a top of 25C.
However, the poor weather could be the least of many Sydneysiders worries with thousands of shoppers joining massive crowds to get their hands on last-minute seafood for Good Friday.
Meteorologists warned the ‘dangerous supercell’ could be worsened by a pool of cold air that could cause ‘large-to-giant hail and damaging-to-destructive winds’
People catching domestic flights over the long weekend have been warned to arrive one to two hours before to avoid overcrowding (pictured, Sydney Airport)
Photos from the city’s iconic Fish Market show customers lining up for fresh fish, bugs and oysters.
The market estimates an incredible 650 tonnes of seafood will be sold with the doors opened at 5am.
But traders at Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market anticipate the cost-of-living crisis will affect seafood sales.
“Shoppers can make their dollar go further by purchasing whole fish varieties like locally caught barramundi, salmon and rainbow trout that can feed the whole family,” Damien Prosser from Prosser’s Seafood said.
And it’s not just Easter lunches that will feel the pinch.
Nearly two-thirds of Australians are planning to stay home this holiday period, with 40 per cent unable to afford accommodation or travel expenses, according to a survey commissioned by Tourism and Transport Forum Australia.
People heading to the airport are also facing long queues.
Sydney Airport predicts it will see some 120,000 passengers this weekend.
‘It certainly is busy here this morning and air travel is booming this Easter period. We’ve got so many more staff this year. Last year we lost so many jobs out of the industry, especially here at Sydney Airport,’ Sydney Airport general manager operations Greg Hay told Today.
‘But we’ve rebuilt our teams over the last little while. The teams have got all re-skilled again and we’re back and ready for this Easter period.’
Meanwhile, Melbourne Airport is set to handle 2.1million passengers this Easter.
People flying domestically have been urged to arrive an hour or two before their flight while international travellers should arrive two to three hours before.
Thousands of shoppers joined massive crowds to get their hands on last-minute seafood for Good Friday (pictured, Sydney Fish Market)
Hundreds of Sydneysiders lined up for fresh fish, bugs and oysters at the city’s Fish Market (above)
Airports asked customers to arrive no earlier than recommended to avoid overcrowding.
Weatherzone issued its own warning to travellers, saying: ‘Some flights may also be affected by Friday’s stormy weather.’
Drivers can expect a bigger police presence on the roads as authorities work to manage the 21 per cent increased risk of death or injury over the holiday period.
Double demerit points will also be in force from Thursday through to Monday for drivers in NSW, the ACT and Western Australia.
Areas from central NSW up to south-east Queensland are expected to see the worst of Friday’s severe weather system.
‘Storms may become severe in these areas producing heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging wind gusts that may bring down power lines or trains and hail,’ the Bureau of Meteorology warned.
Street performers for a Wesley Mission Good Friday will brave the weather with an interactive theatre performance of Jesus carrying a heavy wooden cross through Sydney’s Martin Place.
The CBD commuter and business hub will be transformed into a busker’s paradise with a Da Vinci painting and a pop-up cathedral, Wesley Mission said.
