Thunderstorms Hit Eastern Australia While Heatwave Affects Northern Regions

Severe thunderstorms struck parts of eastern Australia today, Saturday, leading to heavy rainfall, hail, and strong winds. This stormy weather is expected to extend over more than a thousand kilometers from Port Macquarie in New South Wales to Rockhampton in Queensland. In some areas, rainfall levels reached approximately 110 millimeters (4.3 inches) within two hours this morning, and hailstones were observed measuring up to six centimeters (2.4 inches). Bad weather is anticipated to continue until the beginning of the new year. Two individuals were hospitalized after being struck by lightning, one inside a vehicle and the other while on an excavator. Meanwhile, a severe heatwave is sweeping across northern and western Australia. Temperatures in the remote town of Marble Bar in northwestern Western Australia are expected to reach 49 degrees Celsius today.