Miserable weather is lingering in NSW as the official start of the storm season approaches, with rain expected to continue through the weekend.
Storms have hit NSW this week, adding further rain to persistent showers as some parts of the state deal with ongoing flooding.
The weather is expected to settle slightly over the weekend.
"But next week we're expecting a fairly significant system to move across NSW and at this stage, particularly from Tuesday or Wednesday, we're looking at widespread showers and thunderstorms," Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse said on Thursday.
The weather will be a bit more stable inland, but showers and storms are still possible in parts, particularly in the south of the state.
Wee Waa in the New England region of NSW has been isolated by flooding on the Namoi River, expected to continue into the weekend, with the SES delivering supplies to isolated areas.
Major flood warnings remain along the Namoi, Bogan, Lachlan, Culgoa, Birrie, Bokhara and Narran rivers.
On Friday the SES is activating its transition to the Australian Warning System (AWS), a nationally consistent three-tier alert already used by the Rural Fire Service.
It is hoped the Advice, Watch and Act, and Emergency Warning alerts will provide clearer, more useful information when it is needed.
Warnings will continue to be sent via SMS, on the SES website and social media, and via media outlets.
A review of flooding around NSW earlier this year by chief scientist Mary O'Kane and former police commissioner Mick Fuller found the old system needed an overhaul.
"Many people said that the weather and rainfall information received was inaccurate and that warnings and orders from the SES were inadequate," the report noted.
The transition to the AWS comes a day ahead of the official start of storm season on Saturday.
This season will be wetter than usual, Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke says.
"The annual increased frequency of storms, strong winds and rain will coincide with a third consecutive La Nina, which means communities right across the state will remain on high alert," Ms Cooke told reporters on Thursday.
"But it's important that we're not complacent.''
