The Bureau of Meteorology says widespread showers and possibly thunderstorms, which have hammered the country's east in recent weeks, could return to NSW and Queensland from Friday.
Northeast NSW will bear the brunt of the rain in that state, with isolated and possibly severe thunderstorms into Sunday.
Scattered showers are forecast for the remainder of the coast, with the chance of storms.
Severe thunderstorms return to parts of eastern Australia from this weekend, including on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings, particularly heading into the final weekend of 2023. — Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) pic.twitter.com/WxR06TxKn6December 28, 2023
Queensland is forecast to have isolated showers and thunderstorms across much of the state on Saturday, apart from the far southwest.
There is the chance of very dangerous thunderstorms in the state's southeast, with destructive winds, giant hail and intense rainfall.
"Severe thunderstorms are possible ... between St Lawrence and Redcliffe, although activity will not be as widespread compared to previous days," according to senior meteorologist Sarah Scully.
Isolated gusty thunderstorms are also possible over western South Australia.
Showers and storms are a chance across parts of southern and eastern Australia on Friday, mainly NSW, eastern South Australia and northern Victoria, Ms Scully said.
There is a risk of severe thunderstorms about Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Hunter regions.
"Severe thunderstorms will become more widespread from this weekend," Ms Scully said.
"The focus areas will be northeast NSW and southeast and central Queensland."
Meanwhile, the country's north is being hit by a heatwave, bringing temperatures in excess off 40C to some regions.
Storms and flash flooding across southeast Queensland have claimed seven lives since Christmas and caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure.
Thousands of people remain without power in dangerous heatwave conditions not expected to ease until Saturday.
Wild weather has also ravaged NSW and Victoria, with three people killed by flash flooding and a falling branch on Boxing Day.
8°C