Cool and wet conditions expected for Western Queensland

22/04/2022

Issued at: 1:50pm on Friday, 22 April 2022

Widespread rain, accompanied by moderate to fresh winds and below-average temperatures, will likely impact western parts of Queensland, including agricultural areas, from Sunday until Tuesday.

Meteorologist Harry Clark said today the likely conditions will be caused by moist air feeding in from the Coral Sea and Gulf interacting with a surface trough.

Mr Clark added that a Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall continues for parts of the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, and Herbert and Lower Burdekin districts between Cooktown and Ingham. A Flood Watch remains current for coastal catchments from Whitsunday Islands to the Daintree with flash-flooding impacts remaining possible in the severe weather warning area.

"A Flood Watch may also be issued for parts of western Queensland over the coming days," Mr Clark said.

"Six-hourly rainfall totals between 150 to 250 mm are possible between Cape Flattery and Rollingstone today and during Saturday morning. Localised intense rainfall with six-hourly totals of up to 300 mm also remain possible in this area.

"Parts of the tropical east coast, especially the Cassowary Coast, could receive a metre of rainfall over the next several days.

"The heaviest of the rainfall is likely to contract north of Cooktown over the weekend but could again expand southwards to the North Tropical Coast from Monday."

Meanwhile, Strong Wind Warnings are also current for the coastal waters from Cairns to the Sunshine Coast, expanding to Cooktown Coast to Sunshine Coast waters on Saturday.

Moderate flooding continues for the Balonne River in south-west Queensland, with levels expected to remain high as a water from the Condamine moves downstream.

The Bureau is recommending communities stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings through the Bureau's website and BOM Weather app.

Ends

NOTE

An audio news release update for Queensland featuring Meteorologist Harry Clark is available for download and use here.