Weekend washout for most states as storm season intensifies

Key points

• Thunderstorms and heavy rain are forecast to spread across more than half of Australia this weekend, as two weather systems collide over the east. Severe storms could bring flash flooding, damaging winds and large hail, with supercells possible over parts of New South Wales and Victoria.
• Rain has already fallen across much of Queensland for 10 consecutive days, and several weather stations have recorded their wettest October on record.
• Storms are expected to return to the eastern states later in the week, with further heavy rain possible across south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales.