Taylor Swift’s concert in Sydney: New storm warning issued in latest weather warning

Taylor Swift fans will need to pack their ponchos and wellies for her first Eras concert in Sydney, with a new warning for a severe thunderstorm bringing heavy rain and ‘giant’ hail.

The mercury reached a high of 35 degrees on Friday, with ‘potentially severe’ thunderstorms expected in the late afternoon and evening.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast an 80 per cent chance of rain and a chance of severe thunderstorms for Friday, with potentially damaging winds, possible flooding and ‘giant hail’.

The singer will perform four consecutive nights at the Accor Stadium from Friday to Monday in front of a sold-out crowd of 80,000 people.

Event goers are being urged to make ‘safe and sensible decisions’ as the severe weather would make travel ‘dangerous’.

NSW SES Superintendent Dallas Burnes advised Swifties to plan ahead so they can arrive at the arena safely.

“We could see very poor weather this afternoon and this evening across parts of Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Illawarra, parts of the south coast and eastern parts of the Southern Tablelands,” Chief Inspector Burnes said.

‘The expected weather could make things like travel dangerous, with heavy rain and flash flooding a possibility.

“We hope everyone has a really enjoyable time at these events, but ask people to plan ahead so they can get there safely.”

An Accor Stadium spokesperson said the show will go ahead “rain or shine” – barring severe weather that “could affect the safety of performers and visitors.”

“Such a decision would be made by the NSW Police, the event organizers and Venues NSW staff,” they said. “No such decision has been taken yet,” the spokesperson said News.com.au.

Chief Inspector Burnes said SES is working closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to monitor the situation and will provide warnings and updates as necessary.

BoM has issued a severe weather warning for residents of parts of Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, South Coast and Central Tablelands Forecast Districts at 1.57pm.

“A cold front will cross the south of the state today, with rapidly moving severe thunderstorms developing in the warm and unstable air mass ahead, BoM said.

“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding in the warning area in the coming hours.”

More to come…