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Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino labelled the system the “beast from the south”, warning it would produce a dangerous mix of heavy rain, severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail and snow over parts of southern and eastern Australia over the coming days.

He said that, as the system moved further north, it would interact with warmer, moisture-laden air, “resulting in four days of showers, blustery winds and potentially severe thunderstorms between [Wednesday] and Saturday”.

It came as the bureau on Wednesday issued a La Nina alert, meaning there is a 70 per cent chance of the event occurring in the coming months.

La Nina events increase the chances of above-average rainfall for northern and eastern Australia during spring and summer.

“Six of the seven international climate models surveyed by the bureau meet La Nina criteria from November,” the bureau said.

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