Queensland weather: Tropical low in state’s Far North while southeast faces New Year’s drenching

South East Queensland could be in for a wet start to 2022 with 125mm of rain expected to fall in just 72 hours, while a tropical low is being tracked in the state’s Far North.

More than 125mm of rain could drench South East Queensland over 72 hours from New Year’s Day while a severe weather event is threatening the state’s far north.

In the past 24 hours, 117mm of rain fell on the Sunshine Coast while some communities in North Queensland recorded more than 100mm.

The wet weather is set to ramp up this weekend, with Brisbane forecast to receive 45mm on New Year’s Day, 60mm on Sunday and another 20mm on Monday.

“We’re expecting it to ease tomorrow with a few more showers around on Thursday as well,” Ms Reid said.

The bureau expects showers to push through from Friday and well into the weekend.

“At this stage, it’s predominantly just rain. There will be cool temperatures but still a big humid,” she said.

“It won’t be great for the fireworks.”

While South East Queensland can expect just scattered showers over the next 24 hours, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for parts of the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders forecast districts.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Gregory Springs and areas between Gregory Springs and Pentland.

⛈️Thunderstorm forecast for Wednesday: Severe thunderstorms are possible in the north and northeast, with an active monsoon across northern Queensland. A chance of a thunderstorm through central and southwestern Queensland. Current warnings: https://t.co/FBmpsInT9opic.twitter.com/m72WaGdyZP

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 28, 2021

Severe weather warnings also remain in place for Far North Queensland for damaging winds and heavy rainfall.

Monsoonal rain and sharp increases in wind speeds are forecast to hit the tropics from early Wednesday morning.

“There’s a tropical low that we have been watching, and at this stage it doesn’t look like it will move into a cyclone. It will continue to bring in rain and wind and increase those tides,” BOM meteorologist Helen Reid said.

The strengthening monsoon trough currently extends from a tropical low over the far eastern Top End of the Northern Territory through the Gulf of Carpentaria and over the base of Cape York Peninsula.

Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is forecast for areas southwest of Old Mapoon to Lockhart River from early Wednesday morning, with six-hourly rainfall totals between 100-140 mm possible.

Heavier falls up to 180mm are also possible over coastal communities about the Gulf coast and may also develop about the east coast north of Port Douglas.

Damaging winds with peak gusts of around 110 km/h are forecast to develop over areas north of about Kowanyama from sunrise on Wednesday and spread eastwards across the northern Peninsula during the day. Locally destructive wind gusts, with peak gusts in excess of 125 km/h are also possible with thunderstorms north of about Cairns. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous storms are detected.

A Flood Watch is also current for parts of the Gulf Country, Cape York Peninsula and North Tropical Coast catchments.

Locations which may be affected include Georgetown, Port Douglas, Lockhart River, Weipa, Hope Vale and Napranum.