The Eastern seaboard is getting its biggest dump of rain since the summer floods in tonight's thunderstorms, a forecaster says.
While as of 6pm, Canberra had only received 2.6mm, the storms have hit Melbourne particularly hard, causing widespread disruption this evening.
Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutschke said the storm could bring flash flooding, along with damaging winds and perhaps hail.
"There's potential for trees and powerlines to be brought down, while hailstones may become large enough to damage cars and other property," he said.
He said a deep low-pressure trough, helped by moist northeasterly winds blowing off the Pacific Ocean, caused the intense thunderstorms. The trough would continue east tomorrow, taking the heaviest rain with it.
"This region as a whole hasn't seen widespread 25-to-50mm falls in a day since last summer's big floods. This is how much rain the western slopes, plains and ranges of NSW and northern and central Victoria are about to receive,'' he said.
"In general, this rain will be very welcome. Crops are in need of a good drink after a fairly dry winter and start to spring.''
But southern NSW could get even more, with potential for up to 100mm in some parts.
"Despite the prospect of big rain, flooding is not expected to be on the same scale of last summer. The ground has become fairly dry with the lack of recent wet weather, so most rain will now soak into the ground rather than run off. Having said that, at least some minor flooding is guaranteed," he said.
The Bureau of Meteorology said there was a 95 per cent chance of rain tomorrow and Canberra could expect up to 30mm
The rain was expected to ease to isolated showers during the morning, before clearing in the evening. There was the chance of isolated thunderstorms until late afternoon.
Showers were likely to continue through the first half of the weekend.
It comes as the bureau warned of hail and rain for Saturday's AFL grand final, suggesting the match between Collingwood and Geelong could become an oppressive slog.
Senior forecaster Terry Ryan said there was a 50 per cent chance of rain and a 20 to 30 per cent chance of hail between 2pm and 5pm. Heavy showers are expected on the morning of the game.
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