Sydney weather and Queensland bushfire extremes have a common thread

Despite the extreme differences between the 100mm of rain on Wednesday morning in Sydney and surrounds and the large bushfires threatening people and property in central Queensland today, there is a link according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

Huge rainfall dumps on Sydney and surrounds as fires burn in Queensland.

Sarah Fitton, of the Bureau of Meteorology's extreme weather desk, explained that despite their contrasting outcomes the two are being driven by connected systems.

"The trough that's moving through Queensland today and producing quite testing fire conditions is extending down into that low-pressure system that is through New South Wales, so there is a link between the systems," she said.

Up north there is dry air, so the winds are fanning the flames, but down south there is moisture around and it is wet.

Read the story from ABC News by Kate Doyle - “Sydney weather and Queensland bushfire extremes have a common thread.”