If you’re in south-eastern Australia, keep an umbrella handy because the vibes are officially off. A trough from South Australia is meeting a low-pressure system in the Great Australian Bight, and they’re teaming up to create a slow-moving storm setup that’s going to drench the region through the weekend.

Victoria's soggy forecast

Things are looking rough for Victoria, where the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) expects widespread rain and storms. Most of the state is looking at 25-50mm, but some spots like Gippsland and the central and eastern ranges could see over 100mm. According to senior meteorologist Dean Narramore, high-impact areas could be hit with up to 150mm of rain. As Narramore put it, “That’s equivalent to one to two months of rainfall, maybe even three months’ worth of rain.” Melbourne is also in the splash zone, with 30-50mm expected over the next few days. With flood watches already in place and potential damaging winds on the horizon, it’s highkey time to stay alert.

Weekend outlook

As the system rolls into New South Wales, Canberra and Sydney are set for rain and storms on Saturday. It’s looking a bit messy, with some Sydney suburbs potentially seeing around 50mm of rain. However, there’s a W for footy fans: the system is expected to clear out just in time for Sunday’s NRL grand final. The forecast is trending toward drier conditions, meaning we’re in for a fast-flowing game. Real talk, the timing couldn't be better.