Queensland weather: Rain records broken as 3000km system sweeps across Australia

A massive 3000km weather system stretching across five states has smashed a 153-year rain record. This is what to expect as it arrives in Queensland.

A massive weather system has swept over Queensland. Picture: Earth Zoom

A massive weather system stretching 3000km across five states has smashed a 153-year rain record as it sweeps across Queensland.

The deep stream of tropical moisture originating from the Indian Ocean dumped 198mm of rain on Katherine in the Northern Territory over 24 hours to 9am Wednesday.

It is the town’s wettest May day on record. The previous record was 61mm in 1915.

Over coming days, the system is expected to trigger heavy rainfall for Central Queensland, with 80mm forecast for Rockhampton on Friday and another 20mm on Saturday.

Gladstone is set for 85mm over 24 hours to Saturday, while Hervey Bay is in line for 55mm.

Some parts of Queensland are expecting over 100mm of rain this weekend. Picture: WeatherWatch

The Bureau of Meteorology is also predicting thunderstorms along the Queensland coast, while the Sunshine Coast could see falls up to 85mm over four days starting on Friday.

Showers are forecast for Brisbane, with 15mm expected on Saturday, while the Gold Coast could see up to 50mm across the weekend.

Over the past 24 hours, some parts of outback Queensland have recorded steady rain, with 10mm falling in Winton and Windorah, and totals up to 50mm in and around Townsville.

The Bureau’s Helen Reid said the system stretched across Australia.

“Along the coastline, the northern part of Brisbane could even get double figures,” she said.

“It’s looking like not huge numbers, but still enough to notice. And then we’re looking at Saturday being quite wet.

“Looking like a bit more rainfall coming through in the Brisbane region as well, looking at maybe 25mm through there on Saturday, so possibly a thunderstorm along the coastline as well, just for good measure. But Sunday is looking quite clear.

“It’s quite a broad system that we’re talking about.”