Key Takeaways
- A monsoon trough is expected to bring up to 600mm of rainfall and storms across large parts of Queensland.
- The system could cause heavy rainfall of up to 260mm, leading to flash flooding in areas such as Cairns and north of Townsville.
- Flood warnings are in place for several catchments, including the Nicholson, Leichhardt, Norman, Gilbert, and Diamantin catchments.
- The Gregory River in northwest Queensland is already at major flood levels, and conditions are expected to continue for a prolonged period, affecting outback and remote communities.
- The heavy rainfall and flooding are expected to have significant impacts on agriculture, particularly cattle and livestock.
Introduction to the Monsoon Trough
A monsoon trough is forecasted to bring significant rainfall and storms to large parts of Queensland, with some areas expected to receive up to 600mm of rainfall. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that the trough contains a low-pressure system, which is expected to strengthen as it moves from the northwest to the southeast from tonight into next week. This system is expected to affect a wide range of areas, including Cairns, Innisfail, Tully, Ingham, Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Burketown, Mornington Island, Normanton, Doomadgee, Richmond, Julia Creek, Camooweal, and Croydon.
Forecasted Rainfall and Flooding
The system is expected to cause heavy rainfall of up to 260mm, which could lead to flash flooding between Cairns and north of Townsville from tonight into tomorrow. Additionally, up to 170mm of rainfall and flash flooding are forecasted in parts of the Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields, and Upper Flinders, North West, and Central West Forecast Districts. The northeast tropical coast is also expected to experience strong winds, which will contribute to the widespread heavy rainfall. In the 24 hours to 9am today, 217mm of rainfall was already recorded in Cardwell Gap, making it the wettest place in Australia.
Flood Warnings and Watches
As a result of the forecasted rainfall, flood warnings are in place for several catchments, including the Nicholson, Leichhardt, Norman, Gilbert, and Diamantin catchments. Flood watches are also in place for much of the state, indicating that flooding is possible and residents should be prepared. The Gregory River in northwest Queensland is already at major flood levels, and conditions are expected to continue for a prolonged period. Senior meteorologist Jonathan How warned that the heavy rainfall will lead to road closures and community isolation, which could last for a significant amount of time, especially for outback and remote communities.
Impacts on Agriculture and Communities
The heavy rainfall and flooding are expected to have significant impacts on agriculture, particularly cattle and livestock. The low temperatures and floodwaters are expected to last for an extended period, leading to challenges for farmers and livestock owners. How said that rainfall totals will climb over 300mm through the western parts of the state tomorrow and could reach beyond 600mm by Wednesday. The monsoon trough and low will then continue to move across the eastern parts of Queensland, with the Bureau of Meteorology expecting to have a clearer understanding of where the rainfall is expected later next week.
Ongoing Weather Conditions
The weather conditions are expected to continue for a prolonged period, with rainfall totals expected to reach in excess of 700mm in some areas. The Bureau of Meteorology will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the forecasted rainfall and flooding. Residents in affected areas are advised to stay informed and follow the latest warnings and advisories from the Bureau of Meteorology. The heavy rainfall and flooding have the potential to cause significant disruption to communities, and residents should be prepared for the potential impacts.