AUSTRALIANS should brace themselves for more heavy rain and flooding.

THE La Nina weather phenomenon causing floods in Queensland and Victoria is waning in intensity but widespread rain should be expected to continue across Australia, according to a weather forecasting service.

The Weather Channel said the current La Nina event had now peaked, with Pacific Ocean temperatures increasing during the past month.

Weather Channel meteorologist Tom Saunders said other La Nina indicators, such as the Southern Oscillation Index and trade winds, had also eased, prompting him to declare the La Nina event was now weakening.

Mr Saunders said, although the La Nina has passed its peak, the global weather pattern was still tipped to bring widespread rain to Australia over the coming months.

“This week most of the country will see significant rain, particularly the northern tropics, the Queensland coast and most of New South Wales,” he said.

“After a dry start to the week, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania will also see rain, mainly from Friday to Sunday.”

Mr Saunders said rain most areas of NSW could expect at least 10mm of rain this week, with some areas experiencing severe thunderstorms and flash flooding.

The Weather Channel expected more stable weather conditions to evolve by mid-year.