Thunderstorms stretched more than 2000 kilometres across the NT and SA during the last 24 hours, giving a preview of what’s heading for eastern Australia over the next few days.

The animation below shows widespread thunderstorm activity extending from the NT’s Top End to the coast of SA over the last 24 hours.

This prolific thunderstorm activity was caused by moisture-laden air interacting with an upper-level low pressure system as it moved across southern and central Australia.

These setups cause lots of storms because atmospheric moisture gets lifted ahead of the approaching upper-level low and converted into cloud, rain and hail when it meets much colder air aloft. The strong upper-level winds associated with the low also help thunderstorms become more organised, often allowing them to last longer and become more intense.

Unsurprisingly, severe thunderstorm warnings were issued in parts of the NT, SA and adjacent areas of WA on Monday. More severe weather and thunderstorm warnings have also been issued in parts of SA and QLD today.

Looking ahead, the upper-level low and it associated rain and thunderstorm activity will continue to spread further east during the next few days.

The map below shows where the rain and storms are likely to occur between Tuesday and Friday this week.

Image: Forecast accumulated rainfall during the next four days according to the ECMWF-HRES model.

This weather system will produce areas of heavy rain and severe thunderstorms over multiple states during the next several days. Some of this rain is likely to cause flooding, including areas of the Murray Darling Basin that have received heavy rain recently.

Check the latest warnings for the most up-to-date information on this developing system.