• Heavy rainfall totals have been recorded across much of the eastern half of the state in the past 24 hours. Consistent totals of 40 to 60 mm have been recorded in the east with Pyengana in the northeast recording 102mm, Friendly Beaches on the east coast 84 mm and Bicheno 71mm.
• This follows rain across parts of the state on both Friday and Saturday with 3 day rainfall totals now ranging from 30 to 40mm in the west to 70 to 100+ mm in the east.
• A low pressure system located just east of Tasmania was responsible for the rain overnight and is moving to the southeast and is expected to take much of the rain with it. As a result rain should gradually contract to the southeast this afternoon and ease this evening.
• The proximity of the low has resulted in strong to gale force and gusty southerly winds with gusts of around 100km/hr recorded at several locations in the east and southeast. Winds will start to ease as the low moves away.
• Further rainfall of 20 to 40 mm is expected about the east and southeast over the rest of Sunday.
• In addition to rain and wind the weather system has brought much cooler temperatures across the state compared to recent conditions and overnight much of the rain about the central highlands has been falling as snow. There are reports of 30 to 40 cm of snow in some locations with the potential for more during Sunday.
• Conditions are expected to ease overnight and during Monday and Tuesday. However there is potential for another rain event mid week (Wednesday or Thursday) with another low pressure system passing near eastern Tasmania.
• There is a severe weather warning in place for eastern parts of Tasmania for damaging southerly winds and heavy rainfall for today. There is also a Road Weather Alert, a Sheep Graziers warning and a number of Marine warnings. Minor Flood Warnings and Flood watches are in place for number of rivers. The public is urged to keep up-to-date with the evolving weather situation.
• Weather warnings are posted at: www.bom.gov.au/tas/warnings/
Simon McCulloch Acting State Manager Bureau of Meteorology Tasmania and Antarctica Hobart, Tasmania