Meteoroll Weather

MINOR TO MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS COASTAL RIVERS BETWEEN COOKTOWN TO ROCKHAMPTON AND THE CAPE YORK PENINSULA A tropical low is developing in the Coral Sea, and is likely to cross the coast between Cairns and Ayr late Saturday or early Sunday. The low is now forecast to reach tropical cyclone intensity prior to reaching the coast. However, rainfall impacts are likely to be similar whether or not it becomes a tropical cyclone. Heavy rainfall will intensify near this low pressure system over the next few days. The areas of heaviest rainfall will depend on the location of the low pressure system, and will be primarily south of the centre. Further north, a monsoon trough extends across the northern Cape York Peninsula, and is likely to bring flooding to both Eastern and Western Cape catchments. Many catchments are wet to saturated following recent heavy rainfall and rapid and dangerous river level rises are likely, particularly for the Northern Tropical Coast, and adjacent inland catchments. Elevated river levels and areas of flooding are already occurring in some catchments across northern Queensland, with further minor to major flooding likely to develop with rainfall from Friday and into the weekend. Catchments south of Ayr are drier and may take longer to respond to rainfall, with possible minor to moderate flooding developing from Saturday. A Severe Weather Warning for heavy, locally intense rainfall is current for parts of the Flood Watch area. A Tropical Cyclone Advice is current for parts of the Flood Watch area.

For COASTAL AREAS: East to southeasterly DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h with wind gusts around 100 km/h are expected about exposed coastal parts between Innisfail and Airlie Beach this afternoon and early evening. Damaging winds will turn east to northeasterly south of 12U later this evening and overnight, with gusts peaking around 100 km/h between Alva Beach and Proserpine. HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop along the southern North Tropical Coast and Herbert and Lower Burdekin coastal areas today, and extend south into the northern parts of the Central Coast and Whitsundays overnight into Sunday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 90 to 160 mm are likely. 24-hourly totals between 150 to 250 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 350 mm possible. Further inland, HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop from late tonight into Sunday morning, with six-hourly rainfall totals between 70 and 150 mm possible. Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible about coastal areas between Tully and Airlie Beach from Saturday afternoon before extending to Mackay overnight into Sunday, particularly near and south of the low centre, with isolated six-hourly falls in excess of 230 mm possible. Conditions could begin to ease about the North Tropical Coast early Sunday morning, but persist into Sunday over parts of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin and Central Coast and Whitsundays. A Tropical Cyclone Warning has been issued. Please refer to Tropical Cyclone warnings and forecast track maps at https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/specialised-forecasts-and-observations/tropical-cyclone. Rainfall totals and warning area is dependent on the position of the tropical low. The situation for inland areas and areas south of Mackay is being monitored and a warning will be issued if necessary. A separate Severe Weather Warning associated with monsoonal winds is current for people in the Peninsula. Flood Watch and Warning products are also current for large parts of Queensland, including the northeast. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if intense rainfall is detected. Underlying wet soils will make trees easier to fall about the northeast tropical coast. Landslips could also occur about steep and hilly terrain. For all other current warnings and watches please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts Locations which may be affected include Innisfail, Palm Island, Cardwell, Ingham, Townsville, Charters Towers, Ayr, Bowen, Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday Islands, Proserpine, Mackay, Moranbah, Sarina, Carmila, and St Lawrence.